3 Men Plead Not Guilty in 2 Slayings

Three men arrested last month in connection with two separate slayings pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder charges in San Fernando Municipal Court.

Luis Acosta, 18, of Canoga Park, was arraigned on a murder count after police said he ambushed Monroe High School student Giovanni Avelar, 16, as he walked home from school July 21.

Acosta and another person, who has not been arrested, allegedly walked up to Giovanni and asked him where he was from. When he replied, “Nowhere,” he was shot with a rifle, authorities said.

If convicted on the murder charge with the allegation he used a gun, Acosta faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life in state prison.

In the other case, Ever Rivera, 20, and Alex Hluz, 18, both of Van Nuys, were both charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery.

They were also charged with a special circumstance in the slaying, which could make the pair eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Detectives said Daniel Vilchis, 17, of Panorama City was a suspected gang member who may have been a drug dealer. Daniel and 23-year-old Cesar Soria of North Hills, were shot and killed at 4 a.m. July 1 outside a North Hills apartment complex.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Goudy said all the defendants will be back in court Sept. 8 to receive preliminary hearing dates.