A man and a woman accused in the brutal beating and stabbing death of a 71-year-old Cape Coral man were arraigned on state charges in a Lee County courtroom Monday morning, while another woman who police initially charged was not.
Carl Edward Smith, 40, has been charged with second-degree murder and robbery with a weapon, while Jennifer Lee Simundson, 33, has been charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder in the slaying of Raymond Pratt. The attack occurred Nov. 5.
Tyana Kershaw, 39, was charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder by police, but was not arraigned on state charges Monday.
“With the evidence thus far, we have not filed charges against (Kershaw),” said State Attorney’s Office spokesperson Samantha Syoen, adding that the state could charge her at a later date if necessary.
Though Kershaw was charged by police, that does not indicate whether or not the state will file charges, she said.
Kershaw remained in the Lee County Jail without bond on drug charges Monday evening, according to jail booking records.
Smith allegedly beat Pratt in the head with a gulf club and stabbed him with a knife at 5235 Coronado Parkway, Unit 2, according to police reports. Smith also stole $800 from the apartment, the report states.
Police said Kershaw and Simundson waited outside in a car during the incident.
All three suspects pleaded not guilty to initial charges.
Smith and Simundson remain in the Lee County Jail without bond, according to jail records. Both are scheduled to appear in court for a case management conference in March.