A Florida woman pleaded “guilty” to attempted murder Rihanna. Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, of Orlando, pleaded not guilty through her attorney to more than a dozen other charges in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Rihanna’s home shooting could get her life in prison
Ortiz is charged with 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle or dwelling. He could face up to life in prison if convicted of all charges.His attorney, Deputy Public Defender Derek Ray Dillman, entered the plea on his behalf when Ortiz appeared behind glass in a detention center, wearing yellow jail clothes and blond hair in braids. He spoke only to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, at the next stage of the case, when evidence is presented to determine whether a trial is necessary.
Rihanna’s home shooting calls for bond reduction
His attorney asked that his bond be reduced from $1.9 million to $70,000, based on his ability to pay. Judge Theresa McGonigle denied the request and upheld bail.Prosecutors, arguing against the restriction, said he is a high risk to the community and would likely flee. “This case involves a dangerous intentional shooting in occupied homes,” said Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bottek. “This is the type of behavior that could have led to multiple homicides.”When Ortiz was arrested hours after the shooting, he was alone in his car with the rifle, more rounds and a wig he intended to use as a disguise, Bott said. Public records show Ortiz has been a licensed speech-language pathologist for more than a decade. McGonigle ruled at the request of the state attorney general that he should be barred from practicing in California.
The shooter fired 20 bullets into the singer’s home
Prosecutors say Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky and their three young children were among the people who attacked their Beverly Hills home on March 8 when Ortiz, 35, walked up to the property and fired about 20 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle high up on the outside wall.Hochman would not say where the bullet landed, discuss a motive or describe any connection between Ortiz and Rihanna, saying all were under investigation. He also said his office was investigating Ortiz’s social media posts from the days before the shooting.
Shots attributed to multiple attacks
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 his mother, their children and staff were in the main house. The three targets of the home shooting were Rihanna’s house, her trailer and a neighbor’s, prosecutors said. The 10 assault counts were for Rihanna and her family, two employees and two people in the house next door.
