Homeless Woman Tries to Kill Man with CP

Audrey Ann Jackson, a 47-year old homeless woman, has recently been charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill Frank Perez, a 54-year old state worker living with cerebral palsy.

In addition to the count of attempted murder and two other weapons charges, Jackson has also been charged with possessing a gun registered to someone else. If convicted, Jackson will be sentenced to anywhere from 6 to 12 years in a California state prison.

Details of the Attack

The attack occurred in late September 2008 in Sacramento, California when Jackson, who was panhandling in the downtown area, approached the bus stop where Perez was waiting. After soliciting money from a few others also at the bus stop, Jackson approached Perez.

When Perez refused to give her money, Jackson pulled a handgun out of the fanny pack she was wearing and shot Perez once in the abdominal region. A short time later, Jackson was arrested while riding the bus. At the time of her arrest, she was still carrying the gun she used to shoot Perez.

This shooting critically injured Perez, as the bullet severely damaged his intestines, stomach and pancreas. Although he has already had surgery for his wounds, he is expected to need several more operations before he makes a full recovery.

Interviews with Jackson: Her Side of the Story

In jailhouse interviews following her arrest and arraignment, Jackson has stated that she never intended to kill Perez. Instead, according to Jackson, she needed money to make a phone call and felt threatened by Perez.

However, while Jackson insists that she acted out of self-defense, eyewitness accounts and subsequent police investigations have failed to verify her account of the incident – especially since Perez is an adult with cerebral palsy which limits his mobility and requires that he walk with a cane.

(Source: The Sacramento Bee)

Do you have a family member living with cerebral palsy? If so, contact a cerebral palsy lawyer for more information and resources regarding your legal rights.