Pair Accused of Killing Senior at Pechanga Resort Arraigned
Pair Accused of Killing Senior at Pechanga Resort Arraigned
by Contributing Editor
Two women accused of robbing and beating an 84-year-old woman at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, inflicting ultimately fatal injuries, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder and other charges.
Candace Tai Townsell, 39, and Kimesha Monae Williams, 35, both of Moreno Valley, were arrested in early September and charged with the slaying of Afaf Anis Assad of Long Beach.
In addition to murder, both women face robbery and elder abuse counts, along with a special circumstance allegation of killing during the course of a robbery.
They were arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Jan. 8 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Brosche, the defendants allegedly followed Assad into a casino bathroom on the morning of Aug. 31 and struck her several times before snatching her purse, then fled. The victim was carrying between $800 and $1,200, according to investigators.
Assad was discovered unconscious on the bathroom floor by patrons. She was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where she succumbed to her injuries three days later.
Brosche said detectives obtained leads pointing to Townsell and Williams as the alleged assailants, and both were taken into custody — Townsell in Hemet, and Williams in Perris.
Each defendant is being held without bail — Townsell at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, and Williams at the Indio Jail.
Williams, who is reportedly related to Los Angeles Clippers player Kawhi Leonard, has prior convictions for grand theft, burglary and auto theft, according to court records.
Court records show that Townsell has priors for theft and driving on a suspended license.
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All credit goes to Contributing Editor
Originally published on https://mynewsla.com
