California - Trial begins in club war

OFF THE WIRE
By Scott Smith Record Staff Writer
Source: Recordnet.com
They're accused of trying to kill rival club leader....






STOCKTON - Refer to the Jus Brothers Motorcycle Club as a gang and you'll get a blustery response from president Bobbie "Rebel" Riley.




"It's a club - not a gang," he said in a recent phone interview. "The gang thing always comes up. That irritates the hell out of me."



He's on the defensive these days, and it's not his first time.



Two Jus Brothers sit in prison after a fatal 2004 stabbing outside the bar formerly known as Shakers. During the trial for Robert Memory and Frank Praters, Riley fended off claims that his club had slumped to street gang status.



Now, two members of the Misfits Motorcycle Club - an apparent Jus Brothers rival - await trial for trying to murder him in an alleged drive-by shooting last year when Riley was at home watching TV.



Gang charges are included in the mix. San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Mark Dennings, said violence bubbled over because one group offended the other in typical gang behavior.



"They're going to react, and they don't care who's in their way," Dennings said. "They may be older, a little wiser in their criminal way. It's just another street gang."



In the Jan. 28, 2009, shooting, Riley, 74, was home watching TV.



Riley testified during a March preliminary hearing in San Joaquin County Superior Court that he heard a popping sound that he first thought was an exploding light bulb.



The shooting left 50 bullet holes in his home and car. Riley went to the hospital with one lodged in his arm.



Riley denies knowing who shot him. But William Anselmi, the 61-year-old founder of the local Misfits chapter, and his 50-year-old associate, Robert Love, are charged with attempted murder and gang charges.



Anselmi also drew an elder abuse charge for allegedly shooting Riley.



The prosecution's theory is that Randy Coleman left the Jus Brothers for the Misfits without properly dropping out. Riley had confronted Anselmi in a Tracy bar, saying he was going to "whoop" Coleman.



Coleman failed to tell Riley he changed his allegiance, turn in his Jus Brothers vest or ink over his club tattoo, a procedure called "out dating."



"Do you see that as a sign of disrespect?" Dennings asked Riley in court.



"Absolutely," Riley responded.



Anselmi, who has two diamond figures branded into each side of his chest indicating his status as an outlaw biker, declined a request for an interview at the San Joaquin County Jail.



He served a previous prison term on a voluntary manslaughter conviction for killing a Misfit Club member who snitched on him, according to court transcripts.



Riley told The Record he can see why detectives believe the Jus Brother drop-out prompted the shooting he survived. He maintained that he didn't know who shot at him or why.



His members are hard-working husbands and fathers, he said, adding that the shooting certainly wasn't gang war.
"It'll all come out, if they ever have a trial," Riley said. "I'm kinda wanting to find out myself."
Anselmi and Love are due back in court Friday to learn when they will stand trial.
Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or ssmith@recordnet.com.