CINCINNATI — A woman accused of fatally shooting a panhandler who asked her for 25 cents had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, authorities said.

Geraldine Beasley, 62, also paid a fine for unlawfully transporting a firearm in 2003, but the charge was not serious enough to prevent her from getting the concealed weapon permit when she applied for it through the Hamilton County sheriff’s office a year later.

Beasley is charged with murder in the death of Donald Francis, 44, who police believe was homeless. Police said Francis had been standing outside a gas station late Monday asking people for money.

Beasley had complained about Francis to someone else, and when he approached her to ask for 25 cents, she pulled out a gun and shot him, police said. Francis died at the scene.

Court and police records do not refer to Beasley having a mental illness, which also could have disqualified her from obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

State law disqualifies anyone with a felony or misdemeanor conviction related to drugs or violence from obtaining a permit. Most gun-related violations also are enough to disqualify an applicant.
 

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