38-year-old faces open murder charge in slaying of man
MINDEN -- A woman charged in the killing of a Topaz Ranch Estates man has returned to Douglas County to face an open murder charge.
The Gardnerville Record-Courier reported that Jeanine Marie Escandon, 38, appeared in court Monday to hear the charges against her. A judge appointed a lawyer to represent her and she remains jailed on $1 million bail.
Escandon is accused of shooting 59-year-old Norman Welch, whose body was found Nov. 15 at his home. She was arrested Nov. 18 at her brother's residence in Los Angeles after she, authorities said, fled Douglas County in Welch's vehicle.
She fought extradition for four months, but was brought back to Douglas County on Friday evening by two sheriff's investigators.
Court documents state Escandon reportedly acknowledged shooting Welch but claimed it was an accident.
