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Homeless Man Indicted in Murder of Bronx Shelter Director, DA Says

 Ana Charle, who ran a homeless shelter, was murdered by former resident West Spruill, police said.
Ana Charle, who ran a homeless shelter, was murdered by former resident West Spruill, police said.
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Facebook/ana.i.charle and Michigan Department of Corrections

THE BRONX — The homeless man who tried to rape and then killed a Bronx shelter director pleaded not guilty Tuesday after being indicted on murder and kidnapping charges, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

West Spruill, 39, carefully planned the attack on Ana Charle, 36, according to sources, following her as she left the Project Renewal homeless shelter on Bronx Boulevard on April 27, attacking her as she got into her car. 

Spruill allegedly forced the native of Spain and mother of two to drive to a more secluded area where he forced her to strip naked and then tried to rape her at gunpoint, officials said.

Charle escaped and ran through the street until Spruill caught up with her and shot her three times on Bullard Avenue near 237th Street, according to officials.

Spruill then walked back to the car, put his clothes on and allegedly fled on foot, officials said.

Police canvassed the neighborhood and arrested him about a block away from the shooting.

The homeless man demanded to represent himself in court during his arraignment.

He was charged with murder in the second degree, kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon.

He faces life in prison if convicted on the top charge and is due back in Bronx Supreme Court on May 28, when Justice Margaret Clancy will decide whether to grant Spruill’s request to represent himself. 

Charle's shelter coworkers set up a fundraising page to help support her young daughters. The site had raised more than $40,000 by Tuesday evening.