A woman accused of shooting a 21-year-old woman on the Southside of Corpus Christi appeared in court Tuesday.

Thelma Villarreal, who was arrested Dec. 29 on suspicion of murder, was appointed an attorney after trying unsuccessfully to retain one.

There was confusion during a hearing Tuesday before 347th District Judge Missy Medary over whether Villarreal had counsel.

Villarreal described communications with attorneys, and seemed under the impression she had one. It was determined that wasn't the case and she opted for appointed counsel.

”How am I going to hire an attorney if I’m sitting in jail?” she said. “I can’t work.”

Corpus Christi attorney Lisa Harris was appointed to represent her.

Earlier this month, officers responded to a call to a home in the 400 block of Homecrest Street. They found Alexandria Winfree with gunshot wounds.

Winfree was transported to the hospital where she died, according to a probable cause statement.

Villarreal was later arrested at a home on Sebastian Court.

In a probable cause statement, Villarreal is accused of getting into an physical altercation with her “ex-spouse” and his new girlfriend.

The document states Villarreal went to the man's Homecrest residence and found him with his new girlfriend.

There was a physical altercation involving all three people. Villarrreal got into a vehicle that was driven to the front of the home, the document states. The argument continued.

“When Alexandria approaches Thelma’s vehicle from the passenger (side) she was shot one time in the chest from a (Kel Tec) .380 pistol by Thelma,” the document states.

Villarreal told police she was pepper sprayed in the altercation.

She remained custody in Nueces County jail on Tuesday.

Staff Writer Alexandria Rodriguez contributed to this report.