PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A man accused of beating a Rhode Island junk-car dealer with a two-by-four over a deal gone wrong has pleaded not guilty to murder and felony assault.
WPRI-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1uYnxP4 ) 48-year-old Daniel Lastarza was arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court.
Lastarza was indicted by a Providence County grand jury in the July death of 34-year-old Jonathan Stack outside a bar.
Police say Lastarza was trying to get back $400 he had paid for a truck that turned out not to belong to the seller. Authorities say the fight moved to a parking lot where others joined in.
Lastarza was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon over allegations he also hit another man with a board.
His lawyer says Lastarza was trying to protect a friend.
Lastarza is held without bail.
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Information from: WPRI-TV, http://www.wpri.com
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