Man Pleads Not Guilty to Shooting
A 25-year-old Simi Valley man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a single charge of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Simi Valley machinist after a bar brawl in September.
Thomas Blanks is accused of gunning down John Regos, 25, in front of a midtown gas station during a fight on Los Angeles Avenue. That fight had spilled over from an earlier confrontation at nearby MVP Sports Bar and Grill.
Regos died after being shot once in the chest. Blanks was arrested by police as his car was pulling away from the scene, authorities said. Officers said they found a small-caliber handgun in his car.
A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 30.
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