Homeless man charged with killing boy’s defender outside McDonald’s
A homeless man pleaded not guilty Monday to killing a bystander who tried to intervene as he was yelling and cursing at a toddler, authorities said.
Jeremy Harris, 36, faces one count of voluntary manslaughter in the June death of Gabriel Ortega outside a McDonald’s in Hollywood, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors say Harris was yelling at the 3-year-old boy -- no relation to either man -- when Ortega told him to stop and stepped between the two.
Harris then allegedly punched Ortega several times in the face and head, according to the district attorney’s office.
Ortega was hospitalized and eventually died of his injuries in July.
If convicted as charged, Harris faces 11 years in state prison. Prosecutors recommended bail be set at $100,000.
Harris is scheduled to appear in court again Aug. 14.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and the Southland, follow @Caitlin__Owens, or email her at caitlin.owens@latimes.com.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
