Overview: Downtown beating death
Bonk faces a prison term ranging from eight years and eight months to a maximum term of 13 years and eight months in prison, according to court records.
A woman has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the beating death of a homeless man downtown.
Ashley Ann Bonk, 29, will be sentenced Dec. 4 in San Diego Superior Court for killing Charles Hughes, 38, who was struck in the head in the 900 block of 4th Avenue on March 21, 2024.
Hughes was hospitalized and died eight days later.
Bonk was arrested April 8, 2024 in the 1200 block of Park Boulevard. Police also arrested a 17-year-old downtown on April 10 , but her case was handled in Juvenile Court. Because she is a minor, her name and case disposition is not public record.
Bonk faces a prison term ranging from eight years and eight months to a maximum term of 13 years and eight months in prison, according to court records.
“I unlawfully killed another in the heat of passion without malice aforethought while I was out of custody pending sentencing” on another case, wrote Bonk’s attorney in a statement that was initialed by Bonk.
The other case was an unrelated auto theft, records show.
Six police officers testified at Bonk’s preliminary hearing on Feb. 13, and she was ordered to stand trial for homicide. The homicide charge was dropped after she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
Bonk remains in the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility without bail.
