Mentally-challenged woman yanked from wheelchair, beaten to death

COMPTON, Calif. -- Investigators are asking for witnesses to come forward to help solve the murder of a 61-year-old woman, who authorities say was beaten to death in a Compton park.

Detectives say Patricia Davis and another woman got into some sort of argument at Tragniew Park on Aug. 4.

That's when Davis was yanked out of her wheelchair, and the two started fighting. During the altercation, authorities said the suspect sat on Davis and punched her repeatedly.

"She ends up attacking her, getting on top of her. The victim's saying, 'I can't breathe,' and she's not getting off of her and continues to fight with her," described Lt. John Corina with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Detectives say the 67-year-old suspect was arrested and booked for murder, but she was later released for lack of evidence.

Authorities said people were playing sports at the park during the attack. Investigators are asking those witnesses to come forward.

"I think that was a self-defense type thing, you know what I mean?" said a witness who wanted to be identified as E.Z.

He said he tried to break up the fight but walked away when the suspect got off Davis.

"I came back to check again, I was like she still looked the same. So I checked her palm and her throat in her neck," E.Z. said. "I didn't feel nothing so I think she's gone."

What prompted the attack is unknown. Family members say Davis suffered from physical and mental challenges. They said she wasn't homeless - she just liked hanging out at the park for most of the day.

"My sister's gone, but I would like the person who or whoever were involved, if they caused her death, that they be punished for what they've done," said Cathy Phillips, Davis' sister.

If you have any information about this incident, you're urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.