A homeless man receives life imprisonment without parole after a failed sexual assault turned deadly for a former soul singer in Santa Ana.
Rosendo Xo Pec, 28, was found guilty of murder and a special circumstance allegation of murder during an attempted rape, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2018, Pec attacked Betty Jane Willis, who was sleeping at a Santa Ana strip mall. Willis, known for her soulful voice and hit songs like “Someday You’ll Need My Love,” “Act Naturally,” and “Take My Heart,” found herself in a state of homelessness after retiring from her job at the post office. She had also collaborated with renowned musicians like Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers.
Responding to a 911 call reporting a woman screaming, the police arrived at the 1600 block of West First Street. They discovered Pec attempting to hide and apprehended him as he attempted to flee. Tragically, Willis was fatally attacked while lying on the ground.
“This woman possessed a voice that was truly angelic, and it is an absolute tragedy that her voice was silenced in such a heinous manner,” expressed Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “No one should endure the indignity and disrespect that she suffered in her final moments. I am grateful that the jury swiftly and definitively determined the guilt of this individual for this horrific murder, resulting in a life sentence without parole.”
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