Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Teen Informant

One of three suspects in the killing of Chad MacDonald Jr., whose death raised questions about the use of juveniles as police informants, pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Los Angeles court, officials said.

Florence L. Noriega, 28, of Norwalk entered the plea during her arraignment, said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Noriega is accused of murdering the 17-year-old Yorba Linda teenager and attempting to murder his 16-year-old girlfriend, who survived being assaulted and shot.

Police arrested Noriega and Michael L. Martinez, 21, also of Norwalk, last month. Another suspect, Jose A. Ibarra, 19, also of Norwalk, remains at large.

Following the killing, MacDonald’s mother blamed Brea police for her son’s slaying, alleging that his undercover work for authorities contributed to his death. Brea police dispute that claim.

MacDonald agreed to make one undercover drug buy for the police after his arrest on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine, police reports show. But police said they dropped him as an informant several days before his killing.

Noriega returns to court May 5, Gibbons said.