Suspects Plead Not Guilty to Murdering L.A. Deputy

Two men accused of shooting to death an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy after finding his badge in his pocket during a robbery pleaded not guilty Friday to murder charges that could bring them the death penalty.

Municipal Court Commissioner Michael A. Leversen scheduled a Feb. 20 preliminary hearing to determine if Kevin Dewayn Boyce and Andre Willis should stand trial in Superior Court and barred both sides from discussing the case outside the courtroom.

Boyce, 27, and Willis, 30, are accused of shooting Shayne Daniel York in the back of the head during an Aug. 14 robbery as he and his fiancee waited for haircuts at a Buena Park salon. The fiancee, Jennifer Parish, 24, who also is a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, was not injured. York was not armed, police said.

At least one defendant, Willis, will challenge police identification of him as a suspect. For that reason, Leversen prohibited the news media Friday from photographing the pair in court and barred potential witnesses from the proceedings. As an additional precaution, Leversen had Willis and Boyce stand behind a partition for most of the proceeding.

Because of the gag order, Willis’ attorney could not elaborate on the identity issue.

At the request of Boyce’s attorneys, Mike Davis and Ronald Klar, the judge imposed the gag order after hearing arguments in his chambers.

The order will remain in effect at least until a Nov. 19 court hearing, at which Deputy Dist. Atty. Carolyn Kirkwood and Willis’ attorney, Barry Post, will discuss whether there will be a lineup at which witnesses will be asked to identify Willis.

Post has said there has been no physical identification of his client. Kirkwood has declined to comment on the evidence.

Boyce, who police say was the triggerman, and Willis have been described by police as Compton gang members. Because they are accused of committing murder during a robbery and burglary, they could face the death penalty.

The pair, both of whom have criminal records that include robberies, burst into the De’ Cut salon, where Parish’s sister worked, police said. While going through York’s wallet, they found his badge, ordered him to lie on the ground and shot him in the head, according to police.

The pair fled with $11 and Parish’s engagement ring, which she was wearing in anticipation of a June wedding.