Man Pleads Not Guilty in Killings
VAN NUYS — A 19-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday to fatally shooting a Chatsworth couple, a prosecutor said.
Rickey Smith Jr., described by authorities as a friend of a son of the slain couple, entered his plea in Van Nuys Municipal Court, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Dver said.
Prosecutors allege that Smith and his cousin were trying to rob Richard and Donna Landau when they tied the couple up in their Chatsworth home and shot them to death Jan. 2.
Smith’s next court appearance is to be Feb. 29, when a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.
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