Trials – Attorney Legal Counsel

California man Ryan Hopkins who drove while friend shot homeless woman with pellet gun sobs as he is sentenced

attorneylegalcounsel99 — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 08:44:03 +0000

A California man who was behind the wheel as his friend fatally shot a sleeping homeless grandmother with a pellet gun while they went “hobo hunting” sobbed as 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 while she slept outside a coffee shop in May, NBC San Diego reported.

“I want to take a second to say I’m sorry to all you guys and the pain you have to go through,” a tearful Hopkins told Pershal’s family in the courtroom. “I’m sorry we’re all here today.”

Hopkins received a suspended three-year prison term, which could be imposed if he violates his terms of probation after serving six months in jail.

Hopkins’ defense attorney told the court Innes shot Pershal with the pellet gun while his client was trying 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 pleading guilty meant he was well aware of the crime. YouTube/NBC 7 San Diego

Hopkins pleaded guilty of driving the car to go “hobo hunting,” in the murder of a homeless woman. San Diego District attorney‘s Office

“Shooting at someone who is sleeping on the ground in a helpless, vulnerable state?” Hopkins attorney Vikas Bajaj asked the court, adding his accomplice’s actions were “disgusting.”

Bajaj said Hopkins didn’t know Innes’ intentions when he got in the car, despite the alleged shooter texting in a group chat that included his client, he was going “hobo hunting,” according to the outlet.

The prosecution said Hopkins pleading guilty meant he was well aware of the damage he caused.

“He drove himself and his codefendant across the street, stopped right before Ms. Pershal who was shot, suffering, and they watched 15 to 20 seconds to see if they hit their target,” the prosecution argued.

Annette Pershal (L) was shot multiple 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 referring to her as “Granny Annie.”

“To find out someone had shot her with a pellet gun … you don’t even treat animals like that,” Nazworth told the Union-Tribune. “She was a person, not just a thing to be used for target practice.”

Officers found an unconscious Pershal in the early morning of May 8 after being shot six to eight times with the pellet gun.

Pershal was a beloved figure in the neighborhood, with many residents referring to her as “Granny Annie.” Family Handout

The grandmother was struck in the head, leg, and torso with pellets.

One pellet ended up rupturing her aorta.

Pershal was quickly rushed to the hospital with doctors calling her injuries “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 both Hopkins and Innes on Aug. 3.

“This was a callous, conscious disregard for life,” 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 waiting for his trial readiness hearing later this month.

Source link

Attorneys and law firms can elevate their online presence with professionally written content from SEO Content Writing Services monthly plan. Our team of experienced writers specializes in crafting blog posts, articles, and written content that accurately reflect the expertise and knowledge of our clients in the legal field. With a keen eye for detail and a thorough understanding of legal terminology, we provide high-quality writing that helps our clients stand out from their competition and engage with their target audience. Trust SEO Content Writing Services for one time article writing or monthly written content to handle all of your written content needs and showcase your law firm's expertise.
If you need written content, blog posts, or articles professionally written for your website, we can help. Go HERE to find out more.
or email us here: myseowritingservices@gmail.com
To find out more about our article writing or blog post services, fill out the form, thank you.

The post California man Ryan Hopkins who drove while friend shot homeless woman with pellet gun sobs as he is sentenced appeared first on Attorney Legal Counsel.

Peoria students participate in mock trials with real attorneys and judge

attorneylegalcounsel99 — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:44:28 +0000

PEORIA Ill. (WMBD) — Students in grades ranging from 5th through 8th had the opportunity to participate in mock trials Saturday morning at ART Inc. in Peoria.

Order in the Court is a Central Illinois program that teaches 5th through 8th grade students the skills needed in a courtroom.

Attorneys, Cornstock Theatre actors, and Judge Alisha Washington all volunteered their Saturday to give the program an authentic feel.

Bradley University celebrates new Nursing Simulation Lab

attorney Chris McCall said he didn’t know an attorney until he was in college, but wanted to go into the profession from a young age.

“I wanted to put together a program where students can learn weather they want to be an attorney or not,” said McCall. “I didn’t know an attorney until college and so I wanted a diverse group of attorneys to volunteer their Saturday and come and teach kids opening statement, closing statement, direct examination, cross examination skills. We also have Cornstock Theatre actors here who are volunteering their time to play the roles so it’s going to be an amazing event today.”

More information on Order in the Court can be found on its Facebook page.

The post Peoria students participate in mock trials with real attorneys and judge appeared first on Attorney Legal Counsel.

Suspect in University of North Carolina shooting is not competent for trial, his attorneys say

attorneylegalcounsel99 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:14:04 +0000

Attorneys for a University of North Carolina graduate student say he is not competent to stand trial in the killing of his academic advisor

ByThe Associated Press

September 19, 2023, 5:48 PM

FILE – Law enforcement respond to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill campus in Chapel Hill, N.C., Aug. 28, 2023, after the university locked down and warned of an armed person on campus. Two shooting 30 years apart at the University of North Carolina show how much has changed. Some alumni who remember a deadly shooting in 1995 now have children enrolled at their alma mater in Chapel Hill, where an associate professor was shot to death Aug. 28. In some ways, the era of campus shootings has come full circle though there have been vast changes in the way information spreads. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum, File)

The Associated Press

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — Attorneys for a University of North Carolina graduate student accused of killing his academic advisor said in court on Tuesday that a doctor has found their client not competent to proceed with trial.

Defense attorneys for Tailei Qi told Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour they plan to file a motion challenging Qi’s capacity to proceed. Meanwhile, the judge granted a request from prosecutors to get a separate competency evaluation.

Qi is charged with killing Dr. Zijie Yan inside a campus laboratory on Aug. 28. Police were alerted when a 911 caller reported gunfire at Caudill Labs. Qi was not at the building when officers arrived soon after.

Police arrested the Chapel Hill resident without force off campus less than two hours after the shooting. He is being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder and having a gun on educational property.

The attack and hourslong lockdown terrified students and faculty who had just returned to campus for the start of the fall semester.

At the Tuesday hearing, Qi spoke multiple times, including asking for new attorneys, WTVD-TV reported.

Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour advised Qi to remain quiet.

“I don’t want you to say anything else today. What I want you to know is that you have two lawyers beside you who are willing to work for you and with you, and what they need from you is your cooperation and your help,” Baddour said.

The campus of the state’s flagship public university was locked down again last week over reports of an armed and dangerous person. No shots were fired and an arrest was made.

The post Suspect in University of North Carolina shooting is not competent for trial, his attorneys say appeared first on Attorney Legal Counsel.