Mothers of murder suspects hurt for 90-year-old victim's family

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The two teenagers accused of shooting and killing a 90-year-old grandmother in Concord stood before a judge Monday for the first time.

Isaiah Powell and Anthony Cooper are facing several charges, including first-degree murder.

Police said they killed Gilma Goodman after they tried to rob her last Wednesday night inside her house on McKinnon Avenue.

(Cooper and Powell)

The mothers of the teens were both in court. They told Channel 9 through tears they truly hurt for Goodman's family. They said they don't know why or how this happened, and they just hope Goodman's family can forgive them.

"I know the Lord's forgiving and you're supposed to forgive but for something like that I don't know if I ever can or not," said neighbor Louise Little.

She lived across the street from Goodman for more than 40 years.

Little and her husband were the only neighbors Goodman trusted with a key to her house. In fact, she told them she trusted them with her life.

"She kept telling me she loved me and I loved her," Little said.

Little is wrestling through her grief and struggling with her anger toward the two 17-year olds accused of shooting and killing her neighbor.

"They say they came to rob her but she didn't have nothing," Little said.

Cooper tried to talk to his family during court on Monday but the judge told him that was inappropriate and she warned him to wait to talk to his attorney.

The mothers of Cooper and Powell told Channel 9 they had given their sons everything they needed and tried to do everything they could to raise them right, so they don't understand how this happened.

The back door of Goodman's house is now boarded up and in the front window there is a sign that says, "Rest In Peace Ms. Goodman."

"It makes me feel good but I got more than that out of her. I got love from her and that means a lot," Little said.

Cooper and Powell will be back in court on Oct. 31 for a hearing.

Police said there was a third person with the two suspects the night Goodman was killed. Officers questioned that person but at this time, they don't think that person will be charged in the case.

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