Three Plead Not Guilty in Shooting Death of Driver

Three reputed gang members pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that they murdered a Westminster woman in what prosecutors allege was a random shooting.

Enrique M. Segoviano, 18, of Santa Ana, Antonio E. Gonzalez, 21, and his 16-year-old brother, Edel, both of Westminster, were arraigned Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court. They are accused of fatally shooting 49-year-old Janet L. Bicknell of Westminster. The three are also charged with street terrorism and conspiracy to commit a drive-by shooting.

A fourth defendant, a 14-year-old, is also facing the same charges in juvenile court. His trial is pending.

Prosecutors allege that on the night of Aug. 6, the defendants--alleged members of the 5th Street gang in Santa Ana--plotted to steal a car to commit a drive-by shooting in rival gang territory. They waited at Bowling Green Park in Westminster for the next car to come along, and allegedly shot Bicknell in the head when she refused to relinquish her car, prosecutors said.

Because the fatal shooting happened during an attempted robbery, Segoviano, the alleged gunman, and Edel Gonzalez are also charged with murder with a special circumstance. The 16-year-old is the first county juvenile to be tried on a special-circumstance charge, according to prosecutors.

If convicted, he and Segoviano would face life imprisonment without possibility of parole. If convicted, the others would face 25 years to life in prison.

Their trial date has not been set.