Man Denies Murdering Hollywood Woman 60 Years His Senior

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 29-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday to the beating death of an 89-year-old woman at a Hollywood apartment where his father lived.

Jerrod Vaile-Martindale is charged with one count each of murder and elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in death in connection with the Feb. 21 killing of Julia Culp Myers.

The criminal complaint includes an allegation of using a deadly or dangerous weapon -- shoes and feet -- during the commission of the crime.

Vaile-Martindale allegedly attacked the woman while visiting an apartment where his father was living with three other people, including Myers, according to prosecutors. Los Angeles police officers sent to the four-story building in the 7000 block of Hawthorn Avenue found the woman dead following an argument between the two, according to police.

The subject of the argument has not been disclosed.

Vaile-Martindale, who has been behind bars since then in lieu of $2 million bail, could face a maximum of 26 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock