Plea in Officer’s Killing Postponed

The man accused of killing a Burbank police officer made his first court appearance since his Thanksgiving Day capture in Mexico, standing quietly Tuesday as a judge postponed his arraignment.

David A. Garcia, 19, has been accused of murder in the fatal shooting of rookie Officer Matthew Pavelka, 26, and attempted murder in the shooting of Officer Gregory Campbell on the night of Nov. 15. Garcia also faces illegal weapons and drug charges.

Garcia, an alleged gang member, stood in an orange jail jumpsuit behind Public Defender Dwight Corum, as the attorney arranged a postponement of the arraignment until Dec. 23.

Clean-shaven and sporting a crew-cut, the defendant stared briefly at the media and police who gathered in the courtroom. Sitting in the front row was Pavelka’s mother, Billie Sue Pavelka, and his girlfriend, who dabbed their swollen eyes with handkerchiefs during the hearing and left the courthouse swiftly when it ended.

Corum also asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Hegarty to ban cameras from the courtroom -- or at least ban the news media from taking photographs of Garcia in shackles and prison garb. But the judge denied the request, saying Garcia would be accorded the same treatment as anyone who appeared in his court.

According to police, Garcia and accomplice Ramon Aranda, both from the northeast San Fernando Valley, opened fire on Pavelka and Campbell as the officers approached Aranda’s sport utility vehicle, which was parked in an area known for drug and gang activity.

Pavelka and Aranda were killed and Campbell was wounded in the ensuing firefight. Garcia fled, eluding a massive manhunt until he was found in a house near Tijuana.

More than 60 associates and family members were arrested by authorities searching for Garcia. The Los Angeles County district attorney has brought formal charges against five of them, including Garcia’s twin brother, who pleaded not guilty to helping his brother avoid arrest.

David Garcia, who is eligible for the death penalty, will remain in county custody without bail. A panel in the district attorney’s office will determine whether to pursue the death penalty after his preliminary hearing, Deputy Dist. Atty. Keri Modder said.