Ana Charle Killed By Ex-Bronx Homeless Shelter Man, West Spruill Rejects Lawyer For Trial

Police say 39-year-old West Spruill killed Ana Charle in broad daylight after she was captured while walking to her car at the Project Renewal Shelter. Although Spruill was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, the ex-Bronx homeless shelter resident claims he intends on representing himself at the eventual trial without the help of a lawyer.

In a related report by the Inquisitr, reports say that West Spruill killed Ana Charle after an alleged failed attempt at raping her. It’s alleged that Spruill forced Charle to strip naked while he began to undress, but then she decided to fight back.

“While Charle was fighting off her assailant, she was able to break free long enough to try and make a run for what she must have thought was assured freedom. As Charle ran through the street naked, Spruill was not going to let her get away. He began chasing her until he decided to end the chase as he raised his.40-caliber handgun and shot Charle three times — once in the head, a second in her cheek, and the third in her chest.”

After shooting Ana Charle, Spruill allegedly put his clothes back on and left the scene of the crime. When police caught up with him, the Bronx man was allegedly found with wrist ties, a.40-caliber pistol, and and a piece of paper with the victim’s license plate written on it. In the past, Spruill has been arrested for robbery, assault, and even attempted murder.

Wanda L. Rijo, the Bronx homeless shelter’s clinical director, said Charle was a mother of two young daughters who had been tireless in her effort to help the homeless.

“She was a wonderful person,” Rijo told the New York Times. “An excellent mother, a hard worker. She was a great leader. She was the director of the program and very caring about the population that we work with.”

West Spruill was charged in Bronx Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon after allegedly killing Ana Charle earlier this week on Monday.

“He committed the crime in broad daylight, making no attempt to conceal his identity,” lead prosecutor Georgia Barker said of the crime, according to DNAinfo.

When Spruill stood before the judge, he immediately made an unusual request.

“I want to represent myself. I don’t want this guy as my attorney,” he said. “That’s not my attorney. I object!”

Spruill’s assigned lawyer, Cesar Gonzalez, said he would continue to represent his client until the court could determine whether or not his client would be allowed to represent himself.

“It’s my obligation to represent him, and I intend to do so to the best of my ability,” Gonzalez said.

West Spruill is being held without bail and will be back in court on May 1, 2015.

[Image via Pool/The Daily Mail]