Special circumstance allegations were filed on Aug. 23 at the arraignment of a Point Loma man who is charged with killing his sister and nephew and also with wounding his elderly mother.
If convicted of first-degree murder, William Bushey, 60, could receive the death penalty or a life term in state prison. The motive or circumstances for the Aug. 21 shootings in the 3600 block of Zola Street was not discussed in court.
San Diego Police found the body of Laurie Robinson, who was in her 60s, in the back yard and she had been shot. Robinson lived about a mile away also in Point Loma.
Also found deceased was Brett Robinson, who was in his 30s. The charges say Laurie and Brett Robinson were both killed by a shotgun.
Bushey wore blue jail clothes and appeared on a video screen from the central jail with his attorney Denis Lainez next to him. He pleaded not guilty.
San Diego Superior Court Judge John Pro denied bail for Bushey and he remains in the central jail. Attorneys did not say very much about the case in court as bail was not going to be discussed.
Bushey was ordered to return to court on Dec. 9.
Hospitalized was June Bushey, 85, who is the mother of the suspect. The attempted murder charge alleges that William Bushey shot her with a shotgun with premeditation, and also with knowledge that she was an elder over 70 years of age.
William Bushey, who was often referred to as Billy Bushey, lived with his mother on Zola Street, which is several blocks away from Point Loma High School.
Police said someone called police at 3:55 p.m. to report the shootings. June Bushey was found outside her home and was bleeding. Paramedics took her to a hospital. Officers seized a shotgun found in the house.
A decision from District Attorney Summer Stephen on what penalty Bushey would face will probably not be made until months from now or until after the preliminary hearing. Some prosecutors in California have decided not to seek the death penalty because of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s opposition to capital punishment, but he only has two more years left in his term.
