A Florida woman, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday for the alleged attempted murder of Rihanna. Ortiz, from Orlando, faced over a dozen felony charges in the Los Angeles Superior Court and pleaded not guilty through her legal representation.
The prosecution claimed that on March 8, Ortiz, aged 35, arrived at the Beverly Hills property where the singing sensation Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their three children were present. Ortiz allegedly discharged around 20 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle into an exterior wall, targeting the occupants. She is accused of 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling, carrying the possibility of a life sentence if convicted on all charges.
During the court appearance, Ortiz, dressed in yellow jail attire with braided blond hair, appeared behind glass in a detention area. Her lawyer, Derek Ray Dillman, entered the plea on her behalf. Ortiz agreed to waive her right to a speedy preliminary hearing, the phase where evidence is presented to determine if a trial is necessary.
At the hearing, the defense requested a bail reduction to $70,000 from the current $1.9 million. However, Judge Theresa McGonigle denied the request, citing Ortiz’s potential flight risk and danger to the community as reasons to maintain the existing bail amount.
Deputy district attorney Alexander Bott emphasized the severity of the case, labeling it as a dangerous and intentional shooting into occupied residences. He highlighted Ortiz’s possession of the rifle, additional ammunition, and a wig for disguise at the time of her arrest, indicating premeditation.
Ortiz, a licensed speech pathologist for over a decade, was prohibited from practicing in California following the court ruling. The investigation into the incident continues, with authorities examining Ortiz’s social media activity leading up to the shooting. The motive behind the attack and any connection between Ortiz and Rihanna remain under scrutiny.
Rihanna, a renowned nine-time Grammy winner with numerous chart-topping hits, was in an Airstream trailer with A$AP Rocky during the shooting, while her family, including her mother and children, along with staff members, were in the main house. Prosecutors specified the locations targeted by Ortiz and the individuals affected by the assault.
The case has not disclosed the exact impact of the bullets or established a motive for the shooting. No details linking Ortiz to Rihanna have been confirmed. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcomed their third child, a daughter named Rocki Irish Mayers, in September.