Deadly Beating At Pechanga Casino: Jury Selection Underway

TEMECULA, CA — Jury selection is slated to begin Wednesday in the trial of two women accused of robbing and beating a senior at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, inflicting ultimately fatal injuries.

Candace Tai Townsell, 42, and Kimesha Monae Williams, 38, both of Moreno Valley, allegedly killed Afaf Anis Assad of Long Beach in 2019.

Both defendants are charged with first-degree murder, robbery and elder abuse, as well as a special circumstance allegation of killing during the course of a robbery, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations.

During a hearing Tuesday at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, the prosecution and defense submitted pretrial motions regarding witnesses, evidence and trial scheduling, after which Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer scheduled jury selection to begin Wednesday morning -- provided a sufficient pool of prospects can be summoned during the holiday period. Otherwise, jury screening may be pushed into the first week of 2023.

Each defendant is being held without bail -- Townsell at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, and Williams at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Steve Brosche, the defendants allegedly followed Assad into a casino bathroom on the morning of Aug. 31, 2019, and struck her several times before snatching her purse, then fled.

The victim was carrying between $800 and $1,200, according to investigators.

Assad was discovered unconscious on the bathroom floor by patrons. She was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where she died three days later.

Brosche said detectives obtained leads pointing to Townsell and Williams as the alleged assailants, and both were taken into custody less than a week later -- Townsell in Hemet, and Williams in Perris.

Williams, who is reportedly related to Los Angeles Clippers player Kawhi Leonard, has prior convictions for grand theft, burglary and auto theft, according to court records.

Court records show that Townsell has priors for theft and driving on a suspended license.