Photo credit: XXL
The Rihanna home shooting suspect has pleaded not guilty after a judge found her competent to stand trial in connection with the March shooting at the Los Angeles home of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 36, faces 14 felony counts after prosecutors accused her of opening fire on the couple’s residence with a semiautomatic rifle.
A judge ruled Ortiz competent to stand trial on Tuesday, Sept. 29, following a mental health evaluation. The decision allowed criminal proceedings to resume.
Ortiz faces 14 felony charges
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Ortiz faces one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with an assault weapon and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.
The indictment was returned on June 18 and unsealed Wednesday, Sept. 30. Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the charges.
If convicted as charged, Ortiz could face up to life in state prison, according to prosecutors. She is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 29.
Shots struck the couple’s property
The shooting happened on March 8 while Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their three children and other people were on the property.
Authorities allege that Ortiz drove to the home and fired at least 20 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle. The gunfire struck an Airstream trailer where Rihanna and Rocky were present. Bullets also struck the exterior wall of a nursery where their children were located.
No one was injured during the shooting.
Authorities later arrested Ortiz in Sherman Oaks. Prosecutors have not publicly established a motive or identified a known personal connection between Ortiz and Rihanna.
Judge reinstates criminal proceedings
The case had been moved into mental health proceedings after questions were raised about Ortiz’s competency to stand trial.
Following a psychiatric evaluation, Judge Maria Cavalluzzi determined that Ortiz was competent to proceed with the criminal case. The ruling returned the matter to the regular criminal court process.
The case remains pending, and the charges against Ortiz are allegations. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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Source: XXL, Rolling Stone, Associated Press and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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