East Palo Alto man convicted of second-degree murder for killing woman who rented a room from him

REDWOOD CITY — A jury on Wednesday found an East Palo Alto man guilty of second-degree murder and a myriad of other charges for fatally shooting a woman, then disposing of her body, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

John Caisiano Thompson, 47, was also found guilty of felony assault with a firearm and felony discharging a weapon at an occupied residence, each with enhancements for firearm use causing great bodily injury, according to the DA’s Office. He was additionally found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe and Thompson’s defense attorneys Geoff Carr and Emily Andrews did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On Dec. 2, 2022, Thompson shot 32-year-old Breanna Labat during an argument, prosecutors said. Labat had been renting a room in his home on Daphne Way in East Palo Alto.

Thompson also fired a shot that struck and injured another person in the house, prosecutors said.

Thompson disposed of Labat’s body with the assistance of a second person, according to prosecutors. Her remains have yet to be found.

At the time of the shooting, Thompson had been out of jail custody on his own recognizance related to a case involving him allegedly possessing a firearm as a felon, prosecutors said.

The jury trial lasted 23 days and was presided over by San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Lisa A. Novak. The jury reached its verdict on the third day of deliberations.

The trial was set to continue Thursday with consideration of an additional enhancement for Thompson being out on bail at the time of the shooting, prosecutors said.

He remains in custody with no bail.