PHOENIX - Anna Blessing is likely one of the oldest if not the oldest person currently behind bars in Arizona, but one attorney explains why her age shouldn't be a factor in her case.
“She’ll most likely get indicted for first-degree murder and then when she’s indicted, her case will proceed the same as it proceeds with every other criminal defendant," Criminal Defense Attorney Dwane Cates said. "Now in her case, like I said, there’s always a chance for a plea bargain."
The 92-year-old shot and killed her 72-year-old son Monday. She said he was planning on moving her into an assisted living facility.
“The problem is she’s 92 years-old. She can’t plead to anything because anything she gets, any prison sentence she gets would be a life sentence,” added Cates.
The attorney says the elderly woman’s age will be a factor, however, in how she is jailed.
“Because it’s not something that happens every day in the jail system, they’re not gonna be set up for a 92-year-old," Cates said. "The question is, can they adapt in order to house her?”
Cates also says the suspect will stay in the county’s only jail for women, which is Estrella Jail.
Blessing will also be psychologically evaluated to see if she is competent and if she understands that what she allegedly did was wrong.
