Woman Charged with Murder After Fatal Mall Stabbing in CA
UPDATE: A woman has been charged with murder after the shocking stabbing death of a retired nurse in a California mall parking structure. Cherie Lynnette Townsend, 47, faces charges for allegedly killing Susan Leeds, 66, at the Promenade on the Peninsula in Rolling Hills Estates. The trial began on November 12, 2023, with prosecutors revealing that Townsend was under significant financial stress related to her daughter’s cheer competition.
During opening statements, Deputy District Attorney Paul Thompson described how Townsend was approximately $2,000 short of funds needed to send her daughter to a major cheer event in Florida. This financial strain allegedly led to a desperate act of violence, as Townsend is accused of stabbing Leeds 17 times after she returned to her SUV on May 3, 2018.
Leeds was found bloodied and barely conscious in her vehicle, where she succumbed to her injuries shortly after. Prosecutors claim Townsend waited in the parking structure for over two hours before attacking Leeds as she entered her car around 12:13 PM. The incident was partially captured by a surveillance camera, although the footage was blurry.
After the attack, Townsend reportedly fled the scene, running a red light and cutting off another vehicle as she exited the parking structure. Authorities were alerted at 12:26 PM, discovering Leeds with severe stab wounds, including a slashed throat. Her belongings, including a black purse containing a blood glucose monitor, were missing.
Thompson revealed that in a note found on Townsend’s phone, she expressed feelings of being “completely broken,” emphasizing her desperation to provide for her daughter. Townsend had even arranged to take two of her daughter’s friends on the trip, receiving about $350 in cash for ticket purchases, which she never followed through on.
In her defense, public defender Elizabeth Landgraf argued that there is no scientific evidence linking Townsend to the crime scene. She pointed out that Townsend’s DNA was not found among the numerous samples collected, and a fingerprint discovered near the scene was deemed inconclusive. Furthermore, Townsend did not confess to the crime.
Landgraf highlighted discrepancies in Townsend’s statements to authorities over the years, asserting that the jury would have “a lot of questions” that the prosecution could not adequately address. Townsend was initially released shortly after her arrest but was taken back into custody in August 2023 for undisclosed reasons.
The trial, expected to unfold over several weeks, is drawing significant attention as it raises questions about mental health, financial desperation, and the tragic consequences of crime.
As the case develops, many are left wondering how financial pressures can lead to unthinkable actions. The community is closely watching this trial unfold, with implications that resonate deeply amidst ongoing discussions about mental health and support systems.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
