(Jessica May Lowe (right) appears in Superior Court Wednesday where she pleaded not guilty on charges of allegedly stealing a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s cruiser and striking him with it on May 18. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz woman who was shot after allegedly stealing a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s cruiser and striking a deputy with it made her first court appearance Wednesday morning, where she pleaded not guilty.
Jessica May Lowe, 27, is charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, escaping from custody and vehicle theft. She is being held in Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.
Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann ordered a psychological evaluation for Lowe, who is scheduled to return to court on July 10.
Outside court, Santa Cruz County Assistant District Attorney Alex Byers and defense attorney Jesse Ruben declined to comment.
Lowe was arrested on May 18 in a remote area of Ocean Street Extension in Santa Cruz. According to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Craig Wilson, deputies detained Lowe and a male companion after they discovered that a vehicle in their possession was stolen.
As Deputy August Waltrip searched one of the vehicles, his partner questioned the man, who was seated in the back of a second patrol SUV.
Lowe, who was seated in another patrol SUV, slipped out of her handcuffs and then reached through the open window and opened the door.
She then got into another patrol SUV and deliberately drove into the deputy who was questioning the male.
Waltrip tried to stop the assault by firing his service weapon. Lowe then reportedly backed up toward Waltrip, who fired his weapon several more times. As Waltrip tried to assist his injured partner, Lowe once again drove toward the deputies, Wilson said. Waltrip fired his weapon one last time, and Lowe finally stopped the car.
Dressed in a red jail outfit, Lowe appeared to be in good health as she quietly answered Volkmann.
