A California man who was behind the wheel while his friend shot and killed a sleeping homeless grandmother with a pellet gun while they “hunted bums” sobbed upon learning his fate Friday.
Ryan Hopkins, 19, pleaded guilty to accessory to assault with a deadly weapon for leading his friend William Innes, who shot Annette Pershal, 68, while she was sleeping outside a coffee shop in May, NBC San Diego reported .
“I want to take a second to tell you that I’m sorry for all of you and for the pain you have to go through,” Hopkins tearfully told Pershal’s family in the courtroom. “I’m sorry we’re all here today.”
Hopkins received a three-year suspended prison sentence, which could be imposed if he violates his parole conditions after serving six months in jail.
Hopkins’ defense attorney told the court that Innes shot Pershal with the pellet gun as his client tried to connect to the car’s Bluetooth and heard his friend say, “Look at this” before opening fire on the sleeping grandmother.
The prosecution argued that Hopkins pleading guilty meant he was well aware of the crime. YouTube/NBC 7 San Diego Hopkins pleaded guilty to driving the car to “hunt bums” for the murder of a homeless woman. San Diego District Attorney’s Office
“Shoot someone who is sleeping on the floor in a vulnerable and helpless state?” Hopkins’ lawyer, Vikas Bajaj, asked the court, adding that the actions of his accomplice were “disgusting.”
Bajaj said Hopkins did not know Innes’ intentions when he got into the car, even though the alleged shooter texted in a group chat that included his client that he was going to “hunt bums,” according to the outlet.
Ryan Hopkins, 19, pleaded guilty to leading a friend who shot and killed a 68-year-old homeless woman with a pellet gun while she slept outside a coffee shop. YouTube/NBC 7 San Diego
The prosecution said the fact that Hopkins pleaded guilty meant he was well aware of the harm he had caused.
“He crossed the street with his co-defendant, stopped right in front of Ms. Pershal, who was shot, suffering, and they watched for 15 to 20 seconds to see if they hit the target,” the prosecution argued.
Annette Pershal (left) was shot several times by William Innes with a pellet gun. Brandy Nazworth
Pershal’s daughter, Brandy Nazworth, said her mother was a beloved figure in the neighborhood and many residents referred to her as “Granny Annie.”
“Finding out that someone had shot him with a pellet gun… you don’t even treat animals like that,” Nazworth told the Union-Tribune. “She was a person, not just something she could use in target practice.”
Officers found Pershal unconscious in the early morning hours of May 8 after he was shot six to eight times with the pellet gun.
Pershal was a beloved figure in the neighborhood, and many residents referred to her as “Granny Annie.” family brochure
The grandmother received pellets in the head, leg and torso.
A pellet ended up rupturing his aorta.
Pershal was quickly rushed to the hospital and doctors classified her injuries as “non-survivable,” according to authorities.
She was pronounced dead on May 11.
William Innes has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting and killing Pershal with the pellet gun. San Diego District Attorney’s Office
Police arrested Hopkins and Innes on August 3.
“This was a cruel and conscious disregard for life,” Deputy Prosecutor 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: vtt.edu.vn