Parolee Faces Attempted Murder Charge in Beating of His Mother

Scott Andrew Pierson was being held without bail Monday in the San Diego central jail after being arrested early Sunday morning in connection with an assault on his mother, 67, who had been taken to Sharp Grossmont Hospital, authorities said.

Pierson, a 45-year-old parolee in a theft case, is charged with attempted murder, according to jail records and La Mesa police. He also is charged with animal cruelty in the stabbing of a dog in his mother's University Avenue home.

Officers had found the victim’s dog—a small breed and possibly a Pomeranian—at the scene, said police Lt. David Bond. The dog was taken to a pet hospital in Hillcrest but later died, he said.

Pierson's arraignment is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday in El Cajon Superior Court.

Police gave this account of the incident:

At about 12:32 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to the Emergency Room at Grossmont Hospital to meet with the victim of an assault.

When the officers arrived at the hospital, they found a 67-year-old female victim that had been physically assaulted and had suffered major injuries to her head and face. Doctors at the emergency room described the injuries as potentially life threatening and had the victim transferred to Sharp Memorial Trauma Hospital.

While at the hospital, investigating officers discovered that the assault had occurred at the victim’s residence in the 7900 block of University Avenue. Officers responded to the scene of the crime and found the suspect, who was taken into custody without incident.

Bond was Pierson had no warrant for his arrest at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail.