Markowitz Pleads Not Guilty to Robbery Charges

Benjamin Markowitz, whose alleged drug debt authorities believe led to the kidnapping and slaying of his younger half-brother, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of first-degree robbery.

Markowitz, 22, was arrested Thursday during a traffic stop in Van Nuys on a warrant issued Feb. 2 in connection with the robbery.

He was charged with felony armed robbery for allegedly stealing $200 on Dec. 23 at the Woodland Hills home of an acquaintance.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Markowitz’s 15-year-old half-brother, Nicholas Markowitz, was kidnapped in August from near his West Hills home and held hostage in Santa Barbara for several days before being taken to a mountain area outside town and shot to death.

The elder Markowitz allegedly owed a childhood acquaintance, Jesse James Hollywood, a $36,000 drug debt; authorities suspect the alleged debt led to Nicholas’ kidnapping.

Markowitz’s attorney, Andrew Flier, said Friday the kidnapping and killing may adversely affect his client’s robbery case.

“People think it’s his fault that the kid was killed over his debt and that stigma will stick,” Flier said. “But Ben is very distraught over what happened to his younger brother and is deeply saddened.”