Woman denies murder charge in stabbing case

A Pomona woman accused of stabbing and killing a woman she reportedly viewed as a romantic rival pleaded not guilty to murder charges today in Pomona Superior Court.

Nicole Ann Stewart, 34, is accused of stabbing and killing Robin Ridgeway, 49, at the Hamilton Villa mental-health facility at 948 S. Hamilton Blvd. in Pomona.

Both women lived at the facility at the time of the July 23 incident.

According to police, Stewart killed Ridgeway because she believed Ridgeway was having a relationship with Stewart's boyfriend. Police say there was no such relationship.

Stewart is next due in court Oct. 26 for a preliminary hearing. She remained jailed today in lieu of $1 million bail.

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