Youth Pleads Not Guilty in Cosby Killing

An 18-year-old North Hollywood youth pleaded not guilty Friday to killing Ennis Cosby during an attempted robbery two months ago.

Mikail “Michael” Markhasev, wearing a blue jailhouse jumpsuit, showed little emotion as his attorneys entered pleas on charges that could potentially send him to death row if convicted.

With his hands and feet shackled, the tall, slender teenager spoke only briefly during the arraignment, saying “yes, sir” when the judge asked if he agreed to waive his legal rights to an immediate trial.

Before the hearing began, Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge Jacob Adajian rejected a request from members of the media to allow them to photograph Markhasev in court, saying he wanted to “preserve the rights of the people . . . and the defendant to get a fair trial.”

Markhasev, a Ukrainian immigrant who came to the United States eight years ago, faces charges of murder and attempted robbery. Prosecutors also filed a special allegation that the slaying was committed during a robbery attempt, an accusation that could bring the death penalty. Prosecutors, who declined to comment Friday, have not yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty.

Ennis Cosby, the 27-year-old son of entertainer Bill Cosby, was shot once in the head Jan. 16 as he tried to repair a flat tire on a darkened road off Mulholland Drive.

After the hearing, Markhasev’s defense team held a brief news conference outside the courtroom to express their sympathy for the victim’s family and their hopes for a fair trial for their client.

“The loss of any human being, especially a young man in his prime, is a tragedy,” said Charles L. Lindner, the lead attorney in the case.

“We wish to make it clear that we intend to conduct these proceedings with dignity and restraint.”

When asked if he would seek a change of venue because of the case’s notoriety, Lindner seemed doubtful. “To what planet?” he asked. “Is there anybody in the Western world who is not familiar with the Cosby family? Where would we conceivably go to try this case?”

In court papers, Lindner requested access to a private room at the jail for interviews with his client.

He stated that a suspected jailhouse informant had been seated near Markhasev when attorneys met with him twice before.