Suspect in Coachella murder pleads not guilty
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A 44-year-old suspected of killing a man in an assault in Coachella earlier this week pleaded not guilty to charges on Thursday.
Mario Gonzalez of Coachella was charged Thursday morning with murder, a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon -- a knife -- in the commission of a felony and committing a crime while on bail.
He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Thursday before Superior Court Judge Arthur Hester, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Feb. 10 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
Gonzalez is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.
Gonzalez was arrested Tuesday morning following an hours-long standoff that stemmed from a deadly assault Monday night on the 51000 block of Calle Empalme.
James Edward Montenegro, 34, of Coachella was killed in the assault. He was identified as the grandson of former Coachella Mayor Sylvia Montenegro. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with funeral expenses.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Gonzalez at (951) 533-4629.
According to court records, Gonzalez was previously convicted of attempted robbery in 2020.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.