Woman accused of shooting panhandler had concealed weapon permit

CINCINNATI (AP) -- 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....