A California man who was behind the wheel when his friend fatally shot a sleeping homeless grandmother with a pellet gun as they went “hobo hunting” sobbed when he learned his fate Friday.
Ryan Hopkins, 19, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting assault with a deadly weapon for driving his friend William Innes, who shot 68-year-old Annette Pershal as she slept outside a coffee shop in May, NBC San Diego reported.
“I want to take a moment to say I’m sorry to all of you and the pain you’re going through,” a tearful Hopkins told Pershal’s family in the courtroom. “I’m sorry we’re all here today.”
Hopkins received a three-year suspended prison sentence, which can be imposed if he violates the terms of his probation after serving six months in prison.
Defense lawyer Hopkins told the court Innes shot Pershal with a pellet gun as his client tried to connect to the car’s Bluetooth, hearing his friend say, “Watch this” before opening fire on the sleeping grandmother.
The prosecution argued that Hopkins’ guilty plea meant he was aware of the crime. YouTube/NBC 7 San Diego Hopkins pleaded guilty to driving a car to go “hobo hunting,” in the killing of a homeless woman. San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
“Shooting someone who is sleeping on the ground helpless and vulnerable?” Hopkins’ lawyer Vikas Bajaj asked the court, adding his accomplice’s actions were “disgusting.”
Bajaj said Hopkins didn’t know Innes’ intentions when he got into the car, even though the alleged shooter messaged in a group chat that included his customers that he was going to “hunt a hobo,” according to the outlet.
The prosecution said Hopkins’ guilty plea meant he was aware of the damage he had done.
“He drove himself and the codefendant crossed the street, stopped right in front of Ms. Pershal who was shot, suffering, and they watched for 15 to 20 seconds to see if they hit their target,” the prosecution argued.
Annette Pershal (L) was shot several times with a pellet gun by William Innes. Brandy Nazworth
Pershal’s daughter, Brandy Nazworth, said her mother was a beloved figure in the neighborhood, with many residents calling her “Grandma Annie.”
“To find out someone had shot it with a pellet gun … you don’t treat an animal like that,” Nazworth told the Union-Tribune. “He is a person, not just a thing to use for target practice.”
Officers found Pershal unconscious in the early morning hours of May 8 after being shot six to eight times with a pellet gun.
Pershal is a beloved figure in the neighborhood, with many residents calling her “Grandma Annie.” Family Distribution
The grandmother was hit in the head, legs, and body with pellets.
One pellet ended up rupturing his aorta.
Pershal was rushed to the hospital with doctors calling his injuries “non-survivable,” according to authorities.
He was pronounced dead on May 11
William Innes has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting and killing Pershal with a pellet gun. San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Police arrested both Hopkins and Innes on August 3.
“This was a callous and life-conscious act,” Deputy District Attorney Roza Egiazarian said in May.
Innes has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody without bail, according to NBC San Diego.
He is awaiting his trial readiness hearing later this month.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
