Man pleads not guilty in his mother’s death
A 40-year-old Burbank man pleaded not guilty Thursday to one count of murder for the alleged killing of his mother, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Moises Diaz was arrested Monday after his mother, identified as Maria Huezo Diaz, 77, was found dead, wrapped in blankets, next to a dumpster at 4000 W. Victory Blvd., authorities said.
The pair lived together in the apartment complex.
According to police, Huezo Diaz died of “asphyxia by neck compressions.”
Moises Diaz is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. If convicted, he could face life in state prison.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who may have been in the area between 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday is urged to call Burbank police at (818) 238-3210.
This marks the first killing in Burbank since October 2012, when two killings were reported in Burbank. On Oct. 10, a 43-year-old barber was shot multiple times and killed outside his Providencia Avenue apartment. The case remains unsolved.
Later that month, a 5-week-old infant died weeks after being taken to the hospital with broken bones, which investigators believe was a result of ongoing child abuse. Her father was charged in the killing.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
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