New details about one of the women accused of murdering a man on New Year's Day. Jessica Wills and Jacqueline Benavides-Wills were arrested for allegedly stabbing a man to death. Eyewitness News has uncovered Jessica Wills was credited with saving a woman's life just two weeks ago.
A criminal complaint, filed by the District Attorney, charges Wills with murder. Her attorney can't talk details about what may have happened on Wednesday, but he says murder would be extremely out of character for his client.
23-year-old Jessica Wills sits in the Fresno County Jail on Friday night, accused or murder. Fresno Police say she and her wife stabbed a 31-year-old Anaheim man to death after a night of drinking led to a fight. But defense attorney Michael Aed says Wills is not a murderer.
"We're talking about someone who's in the military, who's got an exemplary record within the military, who has been noted as an exemplary citizen not only by family but by the Fresno City Fire Department, said Aed.
Outlined in this Fresno Fire Department mem, Wills is credited with saving the life of a 66-year-old woman. She was choking to death on a piece of meat at Fleming's restaurant. Wills, a valet parking attendant at Fashion Fair Mall, jumped in to help after the woman lost consciousness and her pulse. A responding firefighter writes, Wills performed CPR for two to four minutes, effectively saving the woman's life.
"She is an upstanding individual. All she does is try to help people," said Aed.
Fashion Fair Mall even posted about the incident on its Facebook page, calling Wills a hero. Aed says she has a history of doing the right thing, including volunteering for an eight month deployment to Kuwait last year. Now, her lawyer says she's overcome with emotion.
"She's extremely distraught. She's concerned. She's concerned obviously for her well-being. She's concerned about the allegations being levied against her," said Aed.
Wills' wife, Jacqueline Benavides-Wills was also arrested Thursday. Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the victim got into an argument with his girlfriend, that turned violent.
"From the autopsy report, the injury on the victim came from two different types of weapons," said Dyer.
The couple is due in court on Monday. Aed believes Wills, and her wife, will be vindicated of the murder charge.