UPDATE: Suspect arraigned in Desmond death, trial set
The man who prosecutors say killed a popular Manhattan Beach bartender and dumped her body on Highway 330 pleaded not guilty to murder charges Thursday morning.
Tony Lopez Perez entered the plea during an arraignment in San Bernardino Superior Court. He returns to court Mar. 2 for a pretrial hearing, and a jury trial was scheduled for Mar. 15, said Deputy District Attorney Karen Khim.
At a hearing on Jan. 28, Judge Annemarie Pace ordered Perez held over for trial on the charges. Pace heard witness testimony and ruled that sufficient evidence existed to support the charges against the defendant.
Perez, of Redondo Beach, is charged with one count of murder. He previously pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Oct. 13.
Desmond, 28, of Torrance, was last seen alive Feb. 15 at the Bac Street Lounge in Redondo Beach. An ATM camera later captured her image walking from her car to a bar to use the restroom, but she was turned away.
A motorist found Desmond's body the following day on the west side of Highway 330, on the way to Running Springs.
Perez's motive was that of "a sexual nature," say sheriff's detectives. Physical evidence was found inside a white Dodge Durango belonging to Perez before he sold it to a dealership, they said.
Watch for updates about the case at The Sun's blog, "Inland Empire Courts," at: http://blogs.sbsun.com/sb/iecourts/
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