The State - News from Dec. 5, 1988

The family of an Oakland businessman shot and killed during a Halloween party on a ferry boat is dismayed about a decision not to prosecute the man whose gun fired the fatal bullet. The Alameda County district attorney’s office announced that it would not prosecute San Quentin prison guard Felton Clark, whose pistol fell from his ninja costume as he danced. The gun fired and struck Gene Nash, 52. “A human’s life has been taken and they do nothing,” said Veronica Richardson, Nash’s niece. “If you drink and go down the street, they convict you, even if you don’t hit anybody. But in this case, someone we love is dead and we have no answers.” Deputy Dist. Atty. Vern Nakahara said he understands the Nash family’s anger and frustration, but there was insufficient evidence to charge Clark with anything. “It’s a real unfortunate incident,” he said.