Reading, Pennsylvania

From the Reading Eagle of February 9, 2006

Jury acquits city woman in shooting

A Reading woman wept Wednesday in Berks County Court when she was acquitted in the shooting of a woman during an argument about parking tickets.

Heather Ebling, 23, of the 100 block of North Fourth Street was acquitted of attempted murder and related charges in the shooting of Bethzaida “Betsy” Rios, 28, at Fourth and Washington streets Feb. 9, 2005.

In an unrelated shooting, Rios of 1142 Marion St. was killed April 2 at a birthday party at a speakeasy in a city row house.
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Ebling told the jury she fired her gun because she thought Rios was going to stab her with a knife.

“She (Rios) came over and started banging on the window,” Ebling said. “I thought she had a knife. I went over to my glove box and pulled out my gun. I didn't know what to do.”

Ebling said she didn't mean to harm anyone.

Witnesses said Rios was shot in the right arm and chest.

Prosecution witnesses testified Ebling shot Rios with a 9 mm handgun when Ebling was arguing with Rio's friend, Rosa Rivera, over parking tickets.

Ebling was dating Rivera's son Jeremiah, Rivera testified.

Rivera said she bought a car for Ebling because Ebling did not have enough credit.

Rivera said she and Ebling argued at District Judge Thomas H. Xavios' city office because Rosa Rivera had to pay $700 in parking tickets for Ebling's car.

Ebling testified that Jeremiah Rivera told her some girls were going to kill Ebling.

When Ebling left the courtroom she saw her tires were slashed and she reported it to police, she said.

Later that night, Rosa Rivera testified, she was driving with Rios in Rios' yellow Lexus when Ebling ordered Rios to pull over.

“Heather fired point blank at her (Rios),” Rosa Rivera testified. “I heard the blast and I saw the sparkles.”

Rios then drove herself to Reading Hospital, Rosa Rivera testified.

Ebling's lawyer, Eric K. Dowdle of Allentown, said Ebling fired the shots because she was defending herself when Rios held her at knifepoint.

“Heather Ebling decided not to live like a rat in a cage,” Dowdle said. “She decided to no longer be afraid.”

Howard countered Rios did not use a pocketknife that was found in Rios' glove box.

“There was no knife when this woman shot Betsy Rios,” Howard said.