Three Plead Not Guilty in Alley Shooting of Toddler

The three adults charged in last month’s shooting death of 3-year-old Stephanie Kuhen pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges Wednesday.

Los Angeles Municipal Judge Abraham Khan granted a prosecution request to merge the cases of Marcos Antonio Luna, 24, Marvin Alejandro Pech, 19, and Anthony Rodriguez, 27. Each was held in lieu of $3.5 million bail after entering not guilty pleas to a single count of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

Authorities allege that the three men were key participants in the unprovoked Sept. 17 shooting attack on a car that had mistakenly turned onto a dead-end of Isabel Street.

Police say gang members who control the graffiti-ridden alley surrounded the vehicle and opened fire, killing Stephanie and wounding her brother, Joseph, 2, and the driver of the vehicle, Timothy Stone, 25.

The murder reverberated throughout the nation as an example of mindless violence on urban streets that have been surrendered to criminal activity.

Khan also granted a request by prosecutors and defense attorneys to bar cameras from Wednesday’s court proceeding, saying publicity could damage the integrity of lineups in front of witnesses.

“There might be issues of identity that come up,” argued Deputy Dist. Atty. Pat Dixon. “I think it would not be appropriate to have cameras in the courtroom.”

Dixon said afterward he was unsure if cameras will be barred from future court sessions.

“I think we’ll take that one step at a time,” said Dixon. “But like I said in court, it would be unfair to both sides--more so for the defendants.”

Dixon would not comment on whether more witness lineups were pending, but defense attorney Alex Kessel, hired to represent Pech, confirmed that his client had received a request to appear in a lineup.

Khan ordered the three defendants to return to court Nov. 28, at which time he will set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Rodriguez’s court-appointed attorney said he will request a bail reduction for his client. The others have not contested bail.

Three juveniles also have been charged in connection with the case, while a fourth adult originally identified as a prime suspect remains in custody on a probation violation. He has not been charged.

The juveniles are slated to appear for arraignment Oct. 19. Prosecutors have said they will seek to try them as adults.