Man Sentenced In East Bay Rapper Killing: Report

CONTRA COSTA, CA — Jurors sentenced a man who claimed self-defense in the fatal shooting of a 27-year-old rapper outside a home in 2025.

Jesus Soto, 37, was sentenced for shooting Richard Morello Jr. on the evening of Aug. 25, 2025, outside a home on the 200 block of Cobblestone Drive in Vallejo, according to reports.

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Morello was an underground East Contra Costa rapper who performed under the stage name $mooth. He left behind a wife and two children, who were 6 and 8 when he was killed, according to an online fundraiser.

Earlier that day, Soto, Morello, and others had gathered around Antioch to shoot a video with a local rap artist, according to witness testimony reported by the East Bay Times.

The group later gathered at the Cobblestone Drive home, where an argument broke out inside, the East Bay Times reported.

Soto's attorney, William Welch, argued at trial that Soto suffered a severe beating inside the home and acted in self-defense when the confrontation moved into the front yard.

After killing Morello, Soto screamed "Westside" and "who wants more," according to the East Bay Times.

Welch argued that Soto was in "fight or flight" mode following the beating.

Jurors rejected murder and convicted Soto of voluntary manslaughter, a verdict covering instances of "imperfect" self-defense, according to the East Bay Times.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the shooting occurred around 11:45 p.m. near Cobblestone and Flagstone drives. Antioch police responded to multiple reports of gunfire and found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He died at the scene.

Stockton police, working with Antioch law enforcement, arrested Soto two days later on suspicion of homicide, according to the Chronicle.

Soto is appealing his conviction and is due in court Friday for a restitution hearing, records show. He was transferred to prison in April and is housed at Pleasant Valley State Prison, according to reports.