A Florida resident has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder, after prosecutors accused her of firing shots at singer Rihanna’s residence in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The defendant, Ivana Lisette Ortiz, submitted her plea through her attorney during a short court appearance at the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. She is facing a total of 14 charges, which feature one count of attempted murder and 10 felony counts of assault while using a semiautomatic firearm.
Judge Theresa McGonigle rejected a bail reduction request for Ortiz, who will remain in custody with bail set at $1.875 million. Furthermore, the court has mandated that Ortiz, who is 35 years old, must not engage in her profession as a licensed speech therapist in California while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
If convicted, Ortiz could potentially face a life sentence in prison.
Prosecutors allege that Ortiz drove to the front of Rihanna’s Beverly Crest home on a Sunday afternoon, discharging approximately 20 rounds. According to court documents, at the time of the incident, Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their three young children were inside the house, but fortunately, no one was injured.
“This type of behavior could have easily led to multiple homicides,” Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott remarked during the court session.
After the shooting, Ortiz reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended shortly thereafter in Los Angeles. Prosecutors mentioned that she was found inside a vehicle that contained a rifle and a wig, which they alleged was intended to serve as a disguise.
Rihanna, an internationally recognized artist known for chart-topping hits like 'We Found Love' and 'Umbrella', has received nine Grammy Awards throughout her career.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!