Suspects Plead Not Guilty to Murder of Tustin Man

Two men identified by police as gang members pleaded not guilty Friday to charges they robbed and killed two men last week, including church elder David Eugene Thompson of Tustin.

Tracy L. Carter, 18, and Todd Lavera, 22, also pleaded not guilty before Los Angeles Municipal Judge Glenette Blackwell to charges they robbed Thompson’s wife, Namora, and attempted to kill and rob a companion of the second murder victim, who was slain elsewhere about an hour after Thompson was killed last Thursday night.

Carter and Lavera of South Los Angeles also denied special circumstance allegations--multiple murders and murder during a robbery--that could qualify them for a death sentence if convicted.

Thompson, who was buried Thursday, was shot once in the head in a telephone booth as his wife looked on. Thompson had stopped at the South-Central Los Angeles location to telephone for help because a church bus he was following had broken down.

Both men are charged with two counts each of murder, robbery and attempted robbery and one count of attempted murder. Blackwell ordered them both held without bail and scheduled their preliminary hearing for May 22.