1. LA County men charged for killing New Zealand woman during Fashion Island robbery
2. Three LA County men charged for killing New Zealand woman during Fashion Island robbery.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
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Three men from Los Angeles County have been charged with murder after they fatally wounded a 68-year-old woman from New Zealand during a robbery at Fashion Island in Newport Beach earlier this week.
Prosecutors announced on Friday that the three suspects, one of whom is a repeat offender, will face special circumstances murder charges for the tragic incident. The victim, identified as Patricia McKay, was violently thrown into the street by the perpetrators after they robbed her on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Details of the Incident
The suspects then proceeded to run over McKay with their car as they made their escape, outside the Barnes and Noble store at the popular shopping center. They dragged her for nearly 65 feet before she was dislodged from underneath the vehicle.
According to the OCDA’s release, McKay’s husband attempted to intervene and stop the driver from running over his wife after he was thrown to the ground and threatened with a gun by two of the assailants who were trying to steal his watch.
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The New Zealand couple were waiting for a ride when the suspects’ car pulled up next to them. Two masked men emerged from the vehicle, held the victim’s husband at gunpoint, and demanded his watch, forcing him to the ground. When they failed to obtain the watch, they turned their attention to McKay, who had shopping bags in her hands. The robbers threw her to the ground, dragged her into the street, and sped away with her trapped under their car.
As they fled, one of the suspects was left behind and pursued by a Good Samaritan. The robbers inside the car fired shots at the Samaritan, but thankfully, no one was injured by the gunfire.
High-Speed Pursuit and Arrest
Following the robbery and murder, the suspects led the police on a high-speed chase that extended into the southern areas of Los Angeles County, with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour at times.
The pursuit concluded in the Cypress community, where two of the suspects attempted to flee on foot. The driver was apprehended immediately, while the other two were found hiding behind trash cans in South Gate.
The three individuals have been identified as Leroy Ernest Joseph McCrary, 26, from Los Angeles; Malachi Edward Darnell, 18, from Los Angeles; and Jaden Cunningham, 18, from Lancaster.
Legal Consequences
All three suspects are currently being held without bail and face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted of the special circumstances murder of Patricia McKay, with an additional felony enhancement for causing the death of an individual over 65 years old.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer confirmed that the three perpetrators are eligible for the death penalty. However, it is important to note that California Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on capital punishment in the state back in 2019.
McCrary, who has a history of felony convictions, including residential burglary, criminal threats, and robbery, faces additional charges of attempted robbery and reckless evading while driving. Darnell has been charged with attempted robbery, attempted murder, and firearm-related offenses. Cunningham faces charges of attempted robbery.
Community Response
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed condolences to the loved ones of Patricia McKay and the entire nation of New Zealand, emphasizing that such violent crimes should never occur. He condemned the lawlessness and violence present in society and called for greater accountability for criminal actions.
Spitzer reinforced the stance that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated, especially in public spaces like shopping centres. He highlighted the importance of holding wrongdoers accountable and ensuring that violence is never normalized.
About the Author
Dean Fioresi is a web producer for CBS Los Angeles, covering breaking news across Southern California. In addition to local events, he has a keen interest in sports and entertainment.
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1. LA County men charged killing New Zealand woman Fashion Island robbery
2. Three LA County men charged killing New Zealand woman Fashion Island.
