A 68-Year-Old Homeless Woman Shot And Killed

A 68-Year-Old Homeless Woman Shot And Killed: A teenage man was sentenced to five years and eight months in state prison on Thursday for using a pellet pistol to fatally shoot a 68-year-old homeless lady in Serra Mesa last year.

In relation to Annette Pershal’s death, William Innes, 19, entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter. Annette Pershal was discovered unconscious on Sandrock Road early on May 8, 2023.

Three days after the shooting, Pershal—fondly referred to by friends and family as “Granny Annie” or the “Queen of Serra Mesa”—passed away in a hospital. Deputy District Attorney Roza Egiazarian stated that she was shot in the head, leg, and body, with one bullet rupturing her aorta.

The prosecution claims that Innes posted, “I’m going hobo hunting with a pellet gun,” in a group chat just before the shooting. Prosecutors claim that when Innes was picked up by co-defendant Ryan Hopkins, the two traveled to Pershal’s campsite, where she was shot.

Following the sentence hearing, Patrick Griffin, Innes’ defense lawyer, stated that his client “is being punished appropriately” and “has deep remorse” for the incident.

He contended, however, that Innes’ co-defendant was more involved in the murder than was previously believed. Griffin stated that Hopkins knew Pershal, resided in the neighborhood where Pershal set up her camp, and purchased the pellet pistol that was used in the shooting, in contrast to his client.

The lawyer added that although Innes wasn’t the only one to shoot the pellet pistol, the charges against his client were heavier because of the preliminary evidence that was given to the prosecution. (Hopkins) is the one who put all of this in motion,” said Griffin. “The weight of this is all falling on Will’s shoulders right now, when ultimately, these two kids share this equally.”

In August, police took Hopkins and Innes into custody. At the time of the killing, Innes, who was first accused of murder, was eighteen years old. Innes entered a guilty plea to the manslaughter charge as well as the felony counts of assault weapon possession and employing a dangerous weapon during the killing.

When Innes entered a guilty plea, the parties consented to the five-year, eight-month term. At the sentencing hearing, Innes expressed regret to the victim’s relatives. Innes remarked, “I wish I could, but I can’t change what happened.” “It’s the only thing I can say, and it probably won’t make you feel better about what happened,” the speaker said.

Brandy Nazworth, Pershal’s daughter, stated that her mother was a seamstress and a parts analyst for General Dynamics before growing up in Serra Mesa. Nazworth stated that the family attempted to get Pershal to move live with them in Louisiana following her mother’s homelessness.

However, according to Nazworth, Pershal “couldn’t imagine leaving the neighborhood she grew up in.” The only good that can come from this senseless tragedy is if you use it to become a better man,” Nazworth said to Innes. Even if she appeared to be a filthy vagrant to you, she was still my mother and my children’s grandma. She wasn’t just an object to be hit practice; she was a person.

Hopkins, who became 19 years old, at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty last year to assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to one year in county jail, plus probation. The sentence included a suspended three-year prison term, which could be imposed if he violates his terms of probation.