Trial begins for woman accused of shooting homeless man in 2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – A woman accused of shooting and attempting to kill a homeless man will now face her day in court.

Authorities charged Katie Quackenbush in 2017 with attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She pleaded not guilty to those charges.

PA

This undated photo provided by the Metro Nashville Police Department shows Katie Quackenbush. Quackenbush has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a homeless man in Nashville last month. Media reported that Quackenbush was charged Monday night, September 11, 2017, in the August 26 shooting of Gerald Melton near Music Row. (Subway Police Department via AP)

Police said the incident involved Quackenbush and Gerald Melton, who was a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk at 3 a.m. at the corner of 19th Avenue South and Chet Atkins Place. He was reportedly disturbed by exhaust fumes and loud music coming from a Porsche SUV, police said.

Melton said he asked the driver, Quackenbush, to move the vehicle. Police say the two men began yelling at each other, and Quackenbush eventually got out of the car and shot Melton twice before running down the street with another woman. In a statement after the incident, Quackenbush’s father said she was acting in self-defense.

Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton will preside. Peter Strianse will defend Quackenbush.

The court will meet at 8:30 a.m.