VISTA (CNS) - A De Luz woman accused of shooting a neighbor during a confrontation over a disputed easement road between their rural North County properties pleaded not guilty Wednesday to premeditated attempted murder.
Alyce Ann Copeland, 63, was ordered held on $750,000 bail.
Sheriff's officials said Copeland was sitting in a chair on the contested right-of-way in the 42200 block of Tenaja Truck Trail, blocking it, when 65-year-old Thomas Wessels and his wife drove up shortly before 5 p.m.
last Friday.
The couple got out of their car and asked Copeland why she was obstructing the drive, which all three use to get to their homes, the sheriff's department reported. Following a brief exchange, Copeland allegedly reached into her waistband, pulled out a pistol and shot Wessels in the abdomen.
Despite his wound, Wessels was able to wrest away the weapon and subdue Copeland by hitting her on the head with the butt of the gun, according to a sheriff's statement. His wife then drove him to a hospital.
Copeland was treated in an emergency room for a minor scalp injury before being booked into jail.
The protracted disagreement between Copeland and the Wessels over the right-of-way and easements in their yards has led to a civil case that has yet to be resolved in the courts, authorities said.
Copeland faces more than 28 years to life in prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Cal Logan. The defendant will be back in court July 23 for a readiness conference and July 28 for a preliminary hearing.
Arraignment for woman accused of shooting neighbor
A De Luz woman accused of shooting a neighbor over a property dispute pleaded not guilty Wednesday.