VAN NUYS : 3 Men Deny Guilt in Fatal Robbery Spree
Three Los Angeles men pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges stemming from a yearlong robbery spree that allegedly included the killings of a Van Nuys market owner and a Maywood police officer.
Charged in the May 4 shooting death of storekeeper Lee Chul Kim are Carlos Juarez, 22, also known as Santiago Fuentes, and Jose Contreras, 20.
If convicted of murdering Kim, who was gunned down at his store, the Woodley Market, Juarez and Contreras could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole, Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Speer said.
Hector Reyna, 20, also known as Benjamin Alberto Navarro, pleaded not guilty to taking part in 18 of the 35 robberies. He was not charged in Kim’s slaying.
All three also face a possible death penalty or life imprisonment without parole if convicted of the May 30 slaying of Officer John A. Hoglund, 46, who was shot to death when he responded to the robbery of a Maywood grocery store.
All three previously pleaded not guilty to that murder charge.
A preliminary hearing for the three, who are being held without bail, is scheduled for Oct. 13 in Van Nuys Municipal Court.
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