Sandra Bonertz,76, allegedly shot and killed her best friend after she broke her ankle at the age of 83 and begged for death.

She was charged with murder in connection with the alleged'mercy killing' of her roommate at the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community in Bakersfield, California.

Friends say the victim, who has only been identified as 'Winnie,' apparently 'pleaded for death' while with Bonertz–after breaking her ankle and being unable to walk.

The death came to light on Sunday when police were called to conduct a welfare check on one of the residents at the retirement home.

Pictured: Pinewood Glen Retirement Community Seventy-six-year-old women are rarely charged with murder. But the improbable happened Tuesday afternoon in Kern County Superior Court when Sandra Jeannett Bonertz, 76, pleaded not guilty to a single count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her roommate at the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community in southwest Bakersfield. In a courtroom crowded with criminal defendants waiting to be arraigned, Bonertz was easy to spot. With her shock of white hair and grandmotherly demeanor, she seemed confused and out of place in her gray jail smock, leg irons and handcuffs. A pad or bandage was taped to her inside-right upper wrist. When Judge Michael Bush called her name, Bonertz didn't respond ? until a uniformed bailiff supplied her with a portable headset to help her hear the proceedings. Within seconds, it was over. Her plea of not guilty was on the record, her next hearing set for early next month, and Bush's assertion that she will remain behind bars was made clear.
The Pinewood Glen Retirement Community is where the alleged murder is said to have happened (Picture: Housing Authority of the County of Ker

Police say that Bonertz handed over the weapon without incident and cooperated with officers at the scene, later admitting that she had assaulted her roommate the previous evening.

At arraignment hearing on Tuesday, Bonertz appeared in a grey jail jumpsuit, leg irons and handcuffs, reports the Bakersfield Californian.

When asked to enter her plea, Bonertz did not respond until a bailiff gave her a portable headset to help her hear the proceedings.

She pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder and Judge Michael Bush ordered her held without bail due to the seriousness of the crime.

Grabs from here - link back or embed - https://www.kget.com/news/homicide-news/retirement-home-murder-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-friend-thinks-shooting-was-mercy-killing/*** Seventy-six-year-old women are rarely charged with murder. But the improbable happened Tuesday afternoon in Kern County Superior Court when Sandra Jeannett Bonertz, 76, pleaded not guilty to a single count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her roommate at the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community in southwest Bakersfield. In a courtroom crowded with criminal defendants waiting to be arraigned, Bonertz was easy to spot. With her shock of white hair and grandmotherly demeanor, she seemed confused and out of place in her gray jail smock, leg irons and handcuffs. A pad or bandage was taped to her inside-right upper wrist. When Judge Michael Bush called her name, Bonertz didn't respond ? until a uniformed bailiff supplied her with a portable headset to help her hear the proceedings. Within seconds, it was over. Her plea of not guilty was on the record, her next hearing set for early next month, and Bush's assertion that she will remain behind bars was made clear.
Sandra Bonertz, 76, appeared in court on Tuesday (Picture: KGET-TV)

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, a close friend of both Bonertz and Winnie claimed the killing was at Winnie's request.

'They were the dearest of friends, they did everything for each other, they never fought. I know there was no anger or anything involved like that', said Cheryl Sperry, who said she had known both women for nearly for her entire life, according to KGET-TV.

'I do believe that Winnie begged her to kill her. She had said that on many occasions in front of me, if I ever can't walk please kill me', Sperry added. 

She continued: 'And Winnie was in a car accident a month ago, Winnie and Sandy both, and Winnie broke her ankle and she was unable to walk and she was unable to get into a doctor. 

'It takes three months to get into a doctor these days and she was completely miserable.

'I talked to them Thursday, she was depressed and distraught, just down in the dumps. I don't believe there was any malice or anything like that.'

Pictured: Cheryl Sperry, friend of victim and suspect Grabs from here - link back or embed - https://www.kget.com/news/homicide-news/retirement-home-murder-suspect-pleads-not-guilty-friend-thinks-shooting-was-mercy-killing/*** Seventy-six-year-old women are rarely charged with murder. But the improbable happened Tuesday afternoon in Kern County Superior Court when Sandra Jeannett Bonertz, 76, pleaded not guilty to a single count of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her roommate at the Pinewood Glen Retirement Community in southwest Bakersfield. In a courtroom crowded with criminal defendants waiting to be arraigned, Bonertz was easy to spot. With her shock of white hair and grandmotherly demeanor, she seemed confused and out of place in her gray jail smock, leg irons and handcuffs. A pad or bandage was taped to her inside-right upper wrist. When Judge Michael Bush called her name, Bonertz didn't respond ? until a uniformed bailiff supplied her with a portable headset to help her hear the proceedings. Within seconds, it was over. Her plea of not guilty was on the record, her next hearing set for early next month, and Bush's assertion that she will remain behind bars was made clear.
Cheryl Sperry, who is friend of victim and suspect, said she believes Winnie's death was a 'mercy killing' (Picture: KGET-TV)

The Kern County Coroner's office has not yet released the victim's identity or Winnie's cause of death. Public records list an 83-year-old woman named Winnie as living with Bonertz. 

The Pinewood Glen Retirement Community is an independent living center for seniors age 55 and older.

The complex is operated by the Kern County Housing Authority, which issued a statement saying: 'It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of a resident at Pinewood Glen on Sunday.' 

'According to police, this was an instance of domestic violence.

'Pinewood Glen has a strict policy prohibiting weapons at the property.'

Bonertz is currently being held without bail is due back in court August 9.