Boneetio Washington, 22 (KTLA-TV) |
VENICE -- A 22-year-old former mental patient accused of raping and stabbing a 39-year-old Venice woman who was four months pregnant with twins plead not guilty today.
Boneetio Kentro Washington, of Culver City, is charged with 3 counts of capital murder in the deaths of the 39-year-old Eun Kang and her two unborn children.
The charges include the special circumstances of multiple murders, murder during a rape and murder during a burglary.
He was also charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual penetration.
Washington could potentially face the death penalty.
Washington was on probation at the time of the attack after pleading no contest to burglary in September.
Court records show that Washington previously pleaded no contest to one count of residential burglary that was committed in December 2008.
The case was delayed after a doctor testified that Washington was not mentally competent to stand trial. Washington was committed to Patton State Mental Hospital on July 7.
On Sept. 18, Washington returned to court with a certification from the facility that he was mentally able to stand trial.
He pleaded no contest to first-degree residential burglary and was placed on formal probation before his release from custody on the basis of previous time served and credit for work and good behavior.
Kang was attacked in her apartment in the 1600 block of Electric Avenue near Venice Boulevard Dec. 8th, police said.
A neighbor saw the suspect go into the woman's apartment and called police, who arrested the suspect as he was leaving the apartment.
Police believe Kang may have been bringing groceries in from her car at the time she was attacked.
She was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Her two unborn children were also killed in the attack.
Investigators do not believe Kang knew the suspect.
Washington is being held without bail.
He is due back in court for a hearing on January 12.
Boneetio Kentro Washington, of Culver City, is charged with 3 counts of capital murder in the deaths of the 39-year-old Eun Kang and her two unborn children.
The charges include the special circumstances of multiple murders, murder during a rape and murder during a burglary.
He was also charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual penetration.
Washington could potentially face the death penalty.
Washington was on probation at the time of the attack after pleading no contest to burglary in September.
Court records show that Washington previously pleaded no contest to one count of residential burglary that was committed in December 2008.
The case was delayed after a doctor testified that Washington was not mentally competent to stand trial. Washington was committed to Patton State Mental Hospital on July 7.
On Sept. 18, Washington returned to court with a certification from the facility that he was mentally able to stand trial.
He pleaded no contest to first-degree residential burglary and was placed on formal probation before his release from custody on the basis of previous time served and credit for work and good behavior.
Kang was attacked in her apartment in the 1600 block of Electric Avenue near Venice Boulevard Dec. 8th, police said.
A neighbor saw the suspect go into the woman's apartment and called police, who arrested the suspect as he was leaving the apartment.
Police believe Kang may have been bringing groceries in from her car at the time she was attacked.
She was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Her two unborn children were also killed in the attack.
Investigators do not believe Kang knew the suspect.
Washington is being held without bail.
He is due back in court for a hearing on January 12.
