A Canyon Country woman accused of murder in her brother’s shooting death is due back in court next month for further trial setting.
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Jessica Paige Greenback, 26, was accused of fatally shooting her brother and wounding her father in the apartment they shared in the 18000 block of Danielson Street last February.
In addition to premeditated murder, Greenback is charged with false imprisonment, two counts of attempted murder and child abuse.
The child abuse charge stems from the accusation Greenback allegedly did not allow her 5-year-old sister to leave the room where the shooting took place, according to prosecutors.
Her case has spent the last 16 months in the pretrial phases, as prosecutors have sought to prove Greenback is mentally competent for trial, while her defense lawyer argued otherwise.
Greenback’s case is currently is in the criminal court system, because it was referred for normal trial after about a year of hearings in Department 95 which determines when there are questions of competency for a suspect’s defense.
Homicide detectives suspect the shooting resulted from a domestic dispute involving Johnnie Greenback, her brother, listed as Johnnie G., in the complaint, and her father, listed as Sonny G.
Greenback allegedly shot her 28-year-old brother and her father in the home they shared.
“She killed her brother and shot her dad and she tried to kill another individual in the house, but he was not hurt,” said Lt. John Corina of the Homicide Bureau of the Sheriff’s Department, adding detectives were investigating her history. Greenback’s father was grazed by a bullet, according to officials.
A third person, James Gorman, was allegedly shot at by Jessica Greenback, but not injured.
Preliminary reports indicated Greenback was possibly delusional shortly after the shooting, officials said.
Greenback did not have any outstanding charges according to Sheriff’s Department records; however, records indicate she’d been committed for mental health concerns several times in her past.
“Right now, it look likes she has a long battle with mental illness,” said Homicide Detective Lt. John Corina. “She’s had several commitments for 72 hours (over concerns about mental health).”
A semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene, and is believed to be the murder weapon.