POMONA – An 18-year-old man pleaded not guilty Monday to a murder charge stemming from the stabbing of a 17-year-old Azusa High School cheerleader, whose relatives described him as her ex-boyfriend.
Daniel Rodriguez is charged with the Dec. 20 killing of Angelina Camilla Gonzales, along with an allegation that he used a deadly weapon.
The teenage girl was found dead that night at a home in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue, near Third Street and west of the Azusa High School West Campus, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which assisted Azusa police in the investigation.
Family members said Rodriguez was Angelina’s ex-boyfriend, although it was unclear what may have motivated the attack.
According to relatives, Rodriguez picked up the victim after she attended a cheerleading banquet, and she never returned home.
Her stepfather told ABC7 he was able to track her cell phone location to the Soldano Avenue address, where authorities found her suffering from stab wounds. She died at a hospital.
Rodriguez was arrested the next morning and has remained behind bars since then, according to jail records.
Relatives said Angelina recently joined the Azusa High wrestling team and would have turned 18 on Jan. 7.
Rodriguez is due back in a Pomona courtroom on Feb. 26. Then, a hearing will be held to determine whether there is enough evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.
He could face up to 26 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
1 Comment
Fuck that dude. Lying mother fucker. Prison justice should take care of him eventually.