SANTA ANA, Calif. – A transient man is scheduled to be arraigned today for special circumstances murder during attempted rape after violently assaulting a 76-year-old homeless woman in Santa Ana.

Circumstances of the Case

• On Jan. 1, 2018, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Pec is accused of approaching 76-year-old Betty Jane Willis as she slept in a strip mall parking lot on First Street in Santa Ana.
• The defendant is accused of removing the victim's blanket and sexually assaulting the woman in an attempt to rape her.
• Willis began to scream for help and Pec is accused of punching her multiple times in the head and choking her to prevent her from yelling.
• A witness called 911 and Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers, along with emergency medical personnel, responded to the scene.
• Pec is accused of having his pants down and being on top of the victim when officers arrived.
• The defendant is further accused of hiding and running away from SAPD officers, who quickly detained and arrested the defendant.
• Willis was pronounced dead at the scene. Her cause of death is still under investigation.

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Mark Birney, Homicide Unit

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 18CF0058/ January 3, 2018