Murderer in N.Y. Case Pleads Not Guilty in L.A. Killing

A 26-year-old man convicted with his mother of murdering his wealthy New York landlady pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of killing a Granada Hills businessman three years ago.

Kenneth Kimes was brought to Los Angeles Superior Court in shackles and entered the plea through his attorney, Public Defender Regina Laughney.

Judge Henry Barela ordered Kimes held without bail. He is due back in court June 28.

He and his mother, Sante Kimes, are suspected of killing 63-year-old David Kazdin, a business associate. The victim’s body was found in a trash bin at Los Angeles International Airport in March 1998.

Authorities believe Kazdin was killed after he found out that Kimes and his mother, who is expected to be extradited from New York, had forged his name to get a loan.

Kimes was extradited from New York in March to face trial in Kazdin’s death.

Kimes and his mother became the subject of intense media attention in July 1998 after 82-year-old Irene Silverman disappeared from her Manhattan mansion. Although her body was never found, Kimes and his mother were charged with murder in addition to various other charges. They were convicted last May, and each received a sentence of 120 years to life.