PHOENIX — It was supposed to be a 10 minute ride to a doctor’s appointment Tuesday.
It ended in the murder of a rideshare driver and the arrest of his passenger.
31-year-old Jordan Spalding appeared in court Thursday morning two days after police say she killed 75-year-old Sam Webster by repeatedly running him over with his own vehicle.
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“We’re not doing well,” said Webster’s son, Samuel Webster Jr. “Given the circumstances, hearing the way he passed and the violent act that took place.”
The 75-year-old victim was a respiratory therapist and 25-year Air Force veteran with ties to Luke Air Force Base. His family said he signed up to drive for Veyo, a non-emergency medical transportation company that takes patients to doctor appointments.
According to police, Webster picked up Jordan Spalding Tuesday afternoon to drive her to an appointment.
Something happened during the ride and the car ended up by a canal near 40th Street and Baseline Road. Witnesses told police they saw Webster and Spalding get out of the car before she jumped behind the wheel and ran him over multiple times, according to court documents.
Spalding claimed her driver tried to assault her. She also admitted to using fentanyl earlier that day and had not taken prescribed medication to treat her diagnosed borderline personality disorder, according to police. Spalding also said she had difficulty with her memory.
Witnesses reported hearing Webster yell “Why are you doing this?” as he was being struck by his vehicle.
During her initial court appearance, Spalding argued with the judge over her bond amount.
“Why would it be $1 million?” Spalding said.
“Do you really want to have this conversation right now?” The judge asked her.
“Yes, I do,” she replied.
“Well, I read the probable cause statement and what I read was very, very terrible,” the judge said. “I feel like you are a danger to the community.”
Spalding had been living with her grandparents in their south Phoenix home. They told 12News they are “devastated.”
“I have no idea what could have happened for her to even snap like that. What would he have done to her for him to get out of his seat,” Spalding’s grandfather said.
Spalding has prior arrests including aggravated assault on a police officer, burglary and vehicle theft. When she was booked for second-degree murder Tuesday, police said she had multiple active warrants in Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, according to court records.
“It’s disappointing, it’s frustrating but I and my family, we’re people of faith and I forgive her,” Webster Jr. said. “And my family has prayed for her and we forgive her and no matter what her excuse of justification may have been, she killed my father.”
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