Incarcerated rapper William Lollis fights back against blatantly racist, foul-mouthed officials in Fresno

by William Lollis

I, William Lollis, am pleading a California Racial Justice Act* violation against court-appointed counsel Beth Lee, who at the time was employed by the Fresno County Office of the Public Defender, for the racist comments and remarks she made to me in 2013 while she was interviewing me about the criminal charges I was facing. During the interview, she accused me of committing the crimes I was being prosecuted for. As I made the attempt to set the record straight and assert my innocence, Beth Lee interrupted me and blurted out, “Stupid Black son-of-a-bitch prick motherfucker!” 

Ten years later after the 5th District Appellate Court ordered the release of Marsden Hearing transcripts, I filed a habeas corpus, raising four Racial Justice Act violation claims, which was summarily denied by Judge Sanderson. However, in 2025, the Court of Appeal granted my appeal relief, by mandating the Fresno Superior Court redress my California Racial Justice Act violation claims under Cal. Penal Code § 745 (Racial Justice Act). 

At a Superior Court hearing, Beth Lee doubled-down on her racist statements. Beth Lee stated that she merely agreed to calling me a “stupid Black son-of-a-bitch” because she blamed me for bombarding her with several insults. After Beth Lee admitted that she was a racist, she directly stated to me, “He knows what he is. He knows what he is. He knows what he is, a dumb-ass is what he is!” “A straight-up dumb-ass!” (Please see the Marsden Hearing transcripts in Case No. F-13902514 in 2013.) 

At my original preliminary hearing, I handed Beth Lee a handwritten letter by the alleged victim, Ms. Flores, in which she recants her accusation against me. Beth Lee addressed the judge and stated, “Mr. Lollis thinks if I give the judge this letter with the victim recanting her statement, all the dark clouds will go away, and the sun will come out, and everyone will sing Kumbiyah.” On court transcripts, the court reporter, named Lupe Oftedal, edited what was really said. She instead transcribed that Beth Lee stated, “Mr. Lollis thinks if I give the judge this letter with the victim recanting her statement, the judge will jump from the stand and sing Halleluyah.” 

The prosecutor involved in my case was named Tim Galston. He wrote a letter to the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) 10 years later and stated, or documented, “Whoever decides Mr. Lollis’s fate, just know Mr. Lollis said, ‘Klu Klux Klan Court is back in session.’” 

As a result of my habeas corpus petition, the court appointed Lea Alverez to assist me in my Racial Justice Act (RJA) claims. After I acquired Lea Alverez’s law office telephone number, I called her to inquire about the updated status of my case and petition. At one point, Lea Alverez became frustrated at my inquiries and responded, “How in the hell did Mr. Lollis get my number?” As she continued, she informed me that the District Attorney needed more time to investigate the facts of my case because my case was more complex than the D.A. thought it was. 

When I asked her if Scott Baly was going to assist her as co-counsel, Lea Alverez stated, “I don’t think I want Scott Baly as co-counsel.” Then she reiterated her frustration, stating, “How in the hell did you get my number?” Lea Alverez acted as if she never spoke to me via a previous telephone conversation, whether it be through a three-way call or whether I called her via a collect call. At the end of our conversation, Lea Alverez asked me to “stop calling my phone” and to “stop blowing up my line.” 

Lea Alverez also threatened to contact the prison and get my phone privileges taken away if I didn’t stop calling her. At the end of the day, I believe all those involved in my case, from Judge Sanderson to the prosecutor Tim Galston, the court reporter Lupe Oftedal, and both court appointed counsels, Beth Lee and Lea Álverez, burned down a house to catch a fly. 

William Lollis is strongly supported by his family and community

Seven members of William Lollis’ family wrote to the Bay View, retelling his story, appealing for publicity and support and adding the following information:

“William Lollis received a 92-year sentence as a consequence of prosecutorial misconduct and questionable rulings. He has been incarcerated 11 years for a nonviolent crime, eight years past the release date he would have received had he not been excessively sentenced as a result of unwarranted charges. The events and information contained herein are on record and can be accessed by transcript at the Fresno County Court, Case No. F-13902514.”

In a separate letter, a supporter writes:

“William Lollis is a local Fresno area rapper who not only was an artist, but also did promotion. Around 2006 he started a group called Beat Riders with a few young men he mentored for a few years before he was incarcerated. Not only was he a mentor, but he influenced these young rappers into doing something different with their lives, and instead of being involved in the streets and partaking in illegal activities, this gave them hope, gave them something to do and distracted them from being in negative environments. So not only is he an artist, he is a very influential person who makes a big impact in the community. William Lollis has inspired many young talented people, bringing out gifts that will give them a chance of having a positive impact on the younger generation who are affected by negative influences that are leading young teens to death, murder, drug addiction and so many other things that are affecting Fresno County and California. We would like to see William Lollis released from prison to make a difference.”

*California Racial Justice Act

Following is a statement by the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office concerning the Racial Justice Act:

“California’s Racial Justice Act prohibits the state from convicting or sentencing a person based on a person’s race, ethnicity, or national origin. Unlike prior law, it does not require proof that police or prosecutors acted with intentional bias; evidence of racially biased charging, policing, or sentencing is enough to entitle a defendant to relief. To prevail on an RJA claim, a defendant must first petition the court for an evidentiary hearing, and if that is granted, they must present convincing evidence of bias. Prosecutors may present evidence that refutes defense claims at such hearings.” 

Send our brother some love and light: William Lollis, AR4538, SATF Corcoran C1208, P.O. Box 7100, Corcoran CA 93212.

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