Suspect Denies Stuffing Body in Box

Anthony Roy Shivers Jr. pleaded not guilty Tuesday to killing his ex-girlfriend, stuffing her in a box and dumping it off Santa Susana Pass Road near Simi Valley.

Shivers, 29, dressed in a yellow jail jumpsuit, stood motionless in Glendale Municipal Court during his arraignment, speaking only once.

If convicted of the slaying of Jeanette Cohen, 28, of Glendale, Shivers faces a sentence of 25 years to life, said Sterling Norris of the Pasadena district attorney’s office.

Shivers’ attorney, who first spoke with his client Monday evening, said Shivers was shaken and worried, but would remain “strong.”

“He’s holding up,” said Christopher Nance. “He’s concerned, it’s a serious matter. But beyond that, I have no comment.”

Prosecutors contend their case is a strong one, and said that special circumstances may be added to the original murder charge, making Shivers eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

“We’re confident we have the right person,” Norris said.

Special circumstances that would support the death penalty include kidnapping in the course of a murder and sexual assault in the course of a murder.

Shivers is suspected of killing Cohen, whom he had been dating, placing her body in a box and igniting a fire to cover the crime. The fire, in Box Canyon in eastern Ventura County, was doused by firefighters Aug. 10.

Five days later, after executing a search warrant at Shivers’ apartment, Glendale police returned to the scene of the fire and discovered the box containing Cohen’s body.

Shivers, a six-year civilian employee of the California Highway Patrol, will remain in the Los Angeles County Jail without bail.