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<span style="font-weight: bold">Toronto tourists slain in Atlantic City robbery </span>
BY CHRIS DOUCETTE ,TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012 12:51 PM EDT | UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012 12:56 PM EDT
Atlantic City authorities have confirmed the two Toronto women butchered during an attempted purse snatching were mother and daughter.
The murder victims’ names had been withheld because of difficulties locating next-of-kin, but Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel announced Wednesday that family has now been notified.
Alice Mei See Leung, 47, and her mom, Po Lin Wan, 80, of Scarborough, were attacked in broad daylight while walking out front of Bally’s casino hotel Monday morning, allegedly by a knife-wielding schizophrenic woman.
“The victims were allegedly stabbed multiple times with a 12-inch butcher knife,” Housel said in a news release.
It’s alleged the assailant first attacked Leung, stabbing her numerous times before turning the knife on her elderly mom when she tried to interfere.
Then, when the attacker was unable to pull Leung’s purse from her shoulder, the prosecutor alleges she plunged the knife into the younger woman’s chest several more times.
An Atlantic City Police officer happened to be patrolling nearby and rushed to save the vacationing Canadians.
Officer Jacob Abbruscato drew his gun and ordered the assailant to drop the knife. She complied and was arrested at the scene.
It’s believed the copper managed to stop the frenzied attack within 13 seconds, but it was a few seconds too late.
The two badly wounded women were rushed to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center just down the street and were both pronounced dead soon after.
An autopsy determined Leung died of “multiple sharp-force injuries” including a puncture to her heart, Housel said.
Leung’s mother suffered stab wounds to her hand, shoulder and lower body, he said. An autopsy concluded the elderly woman bled to death.
Antoinette Pelzer, 44, is charged with two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and robbery.
During her bizarre first court appearance Tuesday, the dishevelled woman was surprised to learn both victims had died and that she was now facing two murder raps.
Pelzer also seemed confused throughout her arraignment as the judge read out the allegations against her.
The accused remains in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, Housel said. Her bail is set at $1.5 million.
Pelzer is originally from Philadelphia, Pa., but it’s believed she most recently had been living on the streets of Atlantic City.
Family members have been talking to U.S. media and claim the mother of three, who has eight grandchildren, suffers from schizophrenia.
Toronto Police say they were asked to locate the victims’ next-of-kin.
Officers from 43 Division attempted to find family at a condo in Scarborough, but were unable to do so, police said.
It’s believed relatives were finally located in Hong Kong.
BY CHRIS DOUCETTE ,TORONTO SUN
FIRST POSTED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012 12:51 PM EDT | UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012 12:56 PM EDT
Atlantic City authorities have confirmed the two Toronto women butchered during an attempted purse snatching were mother and daughter.
The murder victims’ names had been withheld because of difficulties locating next-of-kin, but Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel announced Wednesday that family has now been notified.
Alice Mei See Leung, 47, and her mom, Po Lin Wan, 80, of Scarborough, were attacked in broad daylight while walking out front of Bally’s casino hotel Monday morning, allegedly by a knife-wielding schizophrenic woman.
“The victims were allegedly stabbed multiple times with a 12-inch butcher knife,” Housel said in a news release.
It’s alleged the assailant first attacked Leung, stabbing her numerous times before turning the knife on her elderly mom when she tried to interfere.
Then, when the attacker was unable to pull Leung’s purse from her shoulder, the prosecutor alleges she plunged the knife into the younger woman’s chest several more times.
An Atlantic City Police officer happened to be patrolling nearby and rushed to save the vacationing Canadians.
Officer Jacob Abbruscato drew his gun and ordered the assailant to drop the knife. She complied and was arrested at the scene.
It’s believed the copper managed to stop the frenzied attack within 13 seconds, but it was a few seconds too late.
The two badly wounded women were rushed to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center just down the street and were both pronounced dead soon after.
An autopsy determined Leung died of “multiple sharp-force injuries” including a puncture to her heart, Housel said.
Leung’s mother suffered stab wounds to her hand, shoulder and lower body, he said. An autopsy concluded the elderly woman bled to death.
Antoinette Pelzer, 44, is charged with two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and robbery.
During her bizarre first court appearance Tuesday, the dishevelled woman was surprised to learn both victims had died and that she was now facing two murder raps.
Pelzer also seemed confused throughout her arraignment as the judge read out the allegations against her.
The accused remains in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, Housel said. Her bail is set at $1.5 million.
Pelzer is originally from Philadelphia, Pa., but it’s believed she most recently had been living on the streets of Atlantic City.
Family members have been talking to U.S. media and claim the mother of three, who has eight grandchildren, suffers from schizophrenia.
Toronto Police say they were asked to locate the victims’ next-of-kin.
Officers from 43 Division attempted to find family at a condo in Scarborough, but were unable to do so, police said.
It’s believed relatives were finally located in Hong Kong.
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