3 Men Plead Not Guilty in Landlord Slaying
Three Oxnard men pleaded not guilty Monday in the slaying of a landlord in Port Hueneme last month.
Jose Luis Arreguin, 20; George I. Pena, 23, and David Lee Soto, 19, entered the pleas in Ventura County Superior Court. Judge Charles R. McGrath scheduled trial for May 10.
The three were indicted Dec. 18 on charges of murdering Richard Schell, 52, of Santa Barbara as he counted rent money from buildings he owned in Port Hueneme. The suspects also face a “special circumstance” allegation that the slaying occurred during a robbery, which could result in the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
A 16-year-old boy also is charged in the case. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to determine whether he will be tried as an adult.
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