California City pair charged with beating woman face competency hearing
A woman was beaten by two people around 12:20 p.m. April 30 in the 9000 block of California City Boulevard in California City, according to the California City Police Department.
Lita Barnes, 59, of California City and Shelton Hickman, 47, of Norwalk were charged by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office on May 2 with attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury and false imprisonment with violence. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The pair is accused of attacking a 56-year-old woman at her business. The victim said she knew the two because they would ask for money every day, according to CCPD.
The pair asked for photocopies and when the victim went to make copies, Hickman grabbed the victim and attempted to drag her to the restroom, according to CCPD. Barnes hit the woman about 30 times with a pole, according to CCPD.
According to CCPD, Barnes stated that she did not know the victim but was there to kill her because “she is evil.”
Barnes’ next court date is May 23 and Hickman’s next court date is May 28. Both hearings are to determine if they are legally competent to stand trial.
Anyone with information can call CCPD at 760-373-8606.
