Homeless Women who slept on bench 10 years set on fire in LA [View all]

[shintao]

This is the society of sickos we live among. Dennis Petillo, 24, was arrested shortly after the attack when a witness called 911.

The woman made the bench her home [For 10 years] and often could be found sleeping there after sundown. He said he saw her Christmas Eve, getting ready to eat some soup.

"I told her, `Merry Christmas and happy New Year,' and she said she was doing good," Deol said. "She was so kind. She was happy to have someone talk to her."

Robert Wyneken, 75, who volunteers at a nearby church, called her the "sweetest lady on the street" who supported herself by recycling cans and didn't like to panhandle. He said there were efforts to get her housing and in contact with family, but she wouldn't have it.

"I just think she had something in her life where she wanted to be alone," he said. "She didn't want to be a burden to anybody."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57561079-504083/homeless-woman-set-on-fire-while-sleeping-on-bench-california-police-say/