Deadly Hit-And-Run Suspect Makes Court Appearance
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY (CBS13) -- The woman accused in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 3-year-old boy near downtown Stockton was in court Wednesday but didn't enter a plea.
Aushua McDuff-Brown, 22, was arraigned on murder charges in the death of Ruben Ramirez. She's also charged with attempted murder and felony hit-and-run. Bail was set at $3 million.
"We're trying to get justice for baby Ruben," said San Joaquin Deputy District Attorney Mark Ott.
Police say McDuff-Brown was fighting with another woman in a parking lot at Madison Market on Oct. 3 when she got into her car and tried to run down the woman. Instead, she allegedly hit and killed the 3-year-old boy.
McDuff-Brown was spotted Oct. 5 by a Greyhound bus passenger on the way to Los Angeles about 300 miles away from Stockton. She was soon arrested by U.S. Marshals.
Her car was found in Oakland on Tuesday.
A passenger in the car, identified Wednesday as Timothy Lamont Fonville, is being charged with felony accessory after the fact.
McDuff-Brown's family was in court but declined comment. Ruben's mother and stepfather walked hand in hand after the hearing, choosing not to to speak to reporters. But his grandmother, Mary Booker, did, saying Lekeisha Mason is "taking it pretty hard because it's her only child."
Booker thanked the community for its support and asked that it "continue us in your prayersand also continue (praying for) the young lady responsible for this."
Related: Victim's Mom Has Harsh Words For Hit-And-Run Suspect
Related: Friend Pleads For Hit-And-Run Suspect To Quit Hiding
