Posted on: February 9, 2023, 03:53h.
Final up to date on: February 9, 2023, 03:53h.
Two ladies have been convicted Wednesday for robbing and murdering an 84-year-old girl in a restroom at Temecula, California’s Pechanga Resort On line casino, in response to a neighborhood information report.
The Murrieta, Calif. jury deliberated for simply two hours earlier than concluding that Candace Tai Townsel, 42, and Kimesha Monae Williams, 38, each of Moreno Valley, have been responsible for the demise of Afaf Anis Assad of Lengthy Seaside, Calif.
They have been convicted of first-degree homicide, theft, elder abuse, and a particular cost of killing through the course of a theft, with nice bodily harm, Patch reported.
The 2 ladies have been on the on line casino on August 31, 2019. They have been on the look ahead to individuals from whom they might steal.
Simply as they have been prepared to go away the on line casino at 7:30 a.m., they noticed Afaf Assad and her 92-year-old husband stroll into the gaming property.
He went right into a gaming room. She went right into a ladies’s restroom.
Williams and Townsel adopted Assad into the rest room. They stood by an exit whereas she went right into a stall.
A short while later, Assad left the stall and walked towards a sink.
One of many suspects then allegedly yanked a pink purse from her. The pressure used to swipe the bag severely bruised her left arm, prosecutors stated.
The opposite suspect allegedly pushed Assad, who fell. The again of her head caught the ground.
A witness in a close-by stall heard a loud thud.
The duo stored a custodian from getting into the restroom till after they fled with the purse. Inside was between $800 and $1,200 in money.
Whereas nonetheless on the gaming property, Townsel was “skipping and waiving her fingers in a celebratory trend,” prosecutors stated.
Suffered Mind Hemorrhage
The custodian quickly was capable of get into the restroom. She noticed that Assad was bleeding and unconscious. She contacted on line casino safety and EMTs who offered preliminary therapy.
Paramedics quickly arrived. Assad was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Middle in Wildomar, Calif. She didn’t regain consciousness and docs decided she suffered a mind hemorrhage, Patch stated. Three days later, she handed away.
Utilizing surveillance video and witness statements, the homicide was investigated. The 2 ladies have been arrested a couple of week later.
Their trial started final month. Witnesses testified for a number of weeks. Prosecutors and protection attorneys introduced closing arguments on Tuesday.
The sentences might be introduced by Riverside County Superior Courtroom Choose Timothy Freer. A date for the sentencing has but to be scheduled.
Life in Jail Possible
Given the costs, each defendants are prone to be sentenced to life in jail, in response to Patch. There doubtless might be no possibility for parole, the report stated.
Townsel continues to be held on the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, Calif. Williams is being held on the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, Calif. Neither was given bail.
Beforehand, Williams was convicted for auto theft, housebreaking, and grand theft. Townsel was beforehand convicted for theft and driving on a suspended license.
Williams is the sister of Los Angeles Clippers basketball participant Kawhi Leonard, in response to The Press-Enterprise, a California newspaper.
