S.F. DA Blasts Judge's Release of 7 Men Accused in Pier 39 Attack

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins criticized the judge's decision to release the suspects without bail or monitoring.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins criticized a Superior Court judge's decision to release seven men accused of beating a man unconscious while robbing him near Pier 39. Jenkins said the judge's decision was 'reckless' and 'beyond the pale,' comments that were countered by defense attorneys for three of the men.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the district attorney's office and the courts over bail and detention decisions, especially for alleged violent offenders. It also comes as San Francisco's court system faces significant backlogs and staffing shortages.

The details

The seven defendants - Matthew Aval Taylor, Jatrell Joseph Howard, Emanuel Barajas-Brenes, Anthony Lee Henson, Johnatan Guzman-Lopez, Rootrevion Deontez Gay, and Ayden Jared Guzman - were accused of surrounding the victim, a man walking with his fiancée and their infant, and repeatedly punching and kicking him until he lost consciousness. The victim suffered a severe concussion and brain bleed.

  • The alleged attack occurred last Saturday night near Pier 39.
  • The defendants pleaded not guilty and were released by a judge on Wednesday.

The players

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney who criticized the judge's decision to release the defendants.

Judge Brian Hill

The San Francisco Superior Court judge who released the seven defendants without bail or monitoring.

Matthew Aval Taylor

One of the seven defendants accused in the Pier 39 attack.

Johnatan Guzman-Lopez

One of the seven defendants accused in the Pier 39 attack.

Berenice Quirino, Katherine Isa, and Leah McLean

Defense attorneys representing three of the defendants.

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What they’re saying

“If these men don't pose a public safety risk, then I don't know who does. What more did they need to do, kill him?”

— Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We're not supposed to just detain without bail … just because charges are serious. To put this on the judge and say that he was swayed by defense attorneys' tactics, I think it's kind of ridiculous.”

— Katherine Isa, Defense Attorney (San Francisco Chronicle)

“If (the DA) feels this strongly that the defendants are a genuine danger to the victim or society at large, or that they are at risk of not coming to court, then they need to put in the work to make the arguments by clear and convincing evidence that every single defendant charged on that complaint cannot be released without creating a danger.”

— Berenice Quirino, Defense Attorney (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Prosecutors can argue again that the men should be jailed at their preliminary hearing, which has not been scheduled.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the district attorney's office and the courts over bail and detention decisions, especially for alleged violent offenders, as San Francisco's court system faces significant backlogs and staffing shortages.