Plea Entered in 1995 Slaying of Woman, 73
A 37-year-old Oxnard man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder and related charges in connection with the slaying of a 73-year-old Oxnard woman more than a year ago.
Kenneth McKinzie is accused of killing Ruth Eloise Avril on Dec. 21, 1995. Authorities allege that he strangled and beat Avril before dumping her body in an irrigation ditch near Ormond Beach.
Prosecutors filed charges of murder, robbery and burglary against McKinzie in March after Oxnard police identified him as a suspect. Their investigation was targeted at McKinzie as a result of a tipster’s call to police last summer.
At an arraignment Tuesday, Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald C. Glynn filed an amended complaint charging McKinzie with kidnapping and carjacking in addition to the earlier charges.
McKinzie also faces three special-circumstance allegations that make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
A preliminary hearing is set for June 19. According to court records, McKinzie has a long criminal history in Ventura County for various drug charges and probation violations. He recently served time at Wasco State Prison for a 1994 drug case, records show.
He is being held without bail in the Ventura County Jail.
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