Woman pleads not guilty to attempted murder of Rihanna and to assaulting singer’s family
Rihanna in New York in November.
On Wednesday, Florida woman Ivanna Lisette Ortiz pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of the singer.
Photo: AFP A woman from Florida pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the attempted murder of singer Rihanna.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, of Orlando, also pleaded not guilty through her lawyer to more than a dozen other felony counts in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Prosecutors allege the singer, her hip-hop star partner A$AP Rocky and their three young children were among the people assaulted at their home in the Beverly Hills area on March 8 when Ortiz, 35, pulled up to the property and sprayed bullets from an AR-15 style rifle into the tall exterior wall.
Ortiz is charged with 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling.
She could get life in prison if convicted on all charges.
Her lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Derek Ray Dillman, entered the plea on her behalf as Ortiz appeared behind glass in a custody area, wearing yellow jail clothes with her blonde hair in braids.
She spoke only to agree to waive her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, the next phase of the case where evidence is presented to determine whether a trial is warranted.
Public records show Ortiz has been a licensed speech pathologist for more than a decade.
Her lawyer asked that her bail be reduced from US$1.9 million to US$70,000 based on her ability to pay.
The judge declined the request and kept the bail the same.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks to the media in Los Angeles.
Photo: AP District Attorney Nathan Hochman said when Ortiz was charged that Rihanna and Rocky were together in an Airstream trailer at the time of the shooting, while her mother, their children and staff were in the main house.
The three counts of firing at a dwelling were for Rihanna’s house, her trailer, and a neighbour’s house, prosecutors said.
The 10 assault counts were for Rihanna and family, two staff members and two people in the neighbouring house.
Hochman would not say where any of the bullets landed, discuss a motive or describe any connection between Ortiz and Rihanna, saying all were under investigation.
He also said his office was investigating social media posts from Ortiz from the days leading up to the gunfire.
A nine-time Grammy Award winner, Rihanna has 14 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “We Found Love”, “Work”, “Umbrella” and “Disturbia”.
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