Santee Cheerleader Pleads Not Guilty in Homeless Man's Death

Santee, CA — A former Santana High School cheerleader pleaded not guilty Monday to charges related to the beating death of a homeless Santee man.

Hailey Jordan Suder, 18, is charged with two counts of being an accessory after the fact in the alleged murder of 50-year-old George Lowery, who lived in a homeless encampment in Santee.

"Her bail was set at $100,000 (she bailed out)," San Diego County District Attorney Spokeswoman Tanya Sierra told Patch. "... If convicted, she faces three years and eight months in prison."

Two brothers, Austin Larry Mostrong, 20, and Preston Autry Mostrong, 19, were previously arrested and charged in the death of Lowery, whose wife found him unconscious April 24 in a Santee river bed near Chubb Lane and North Magnolia Avenue.

Lowery — who was also found robbed and tied up — suffered severe trauma to his upper body and was hospitalized in critical condition but died a few days later because of the severity of his injuries, according to authorities.

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The crime apparently stemmed from a fight the older brother had gotten into with some homeless people in the same general area on April 20, San Diego County sheriff's Lt. Kenneth Nelson said. It was unclear if Lowery had been present during that altercation, which left Austin, the elder Mostrong brother, under arrest.

The Mostrong brothers have both pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and torture.

Suder, who was a senior at Santana High School this year but did not graduate with her class, was reportedly in a relationship with one of the brothers, The Los Angeles Times reported.

She is set to appear in court again June 29 for a felony readiness hearing and again July 5 for a preliminary hearing, according to the DA's Office.

— City News Service contributed to this report.

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