California

The Latest: 3 plead not guilty to murder in deadly '93 fire

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This undated photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Joseph Monge. Monge is one of three suspects arrested in a deadly fire that struck an apartment building in the Westlake district of Los Angeles in 1993, taking the lives of 12 people including the deaths of late-term fetuses. Police Chief Charlie Beck says two men were arrested Feb. 3, 2017, and a woman was already in custody in connection with the fire. One suspect was still being sought. (Los Angeles Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

This undated photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Johanna Lopez. Lopez is one of three suspects arrested in a deadly fire that struck an apartment building in the Westlake district of Los Angeles in 1993, taking the lives of 12 people including the deaths of late-term fetuses. Police Chief Charlie Beck says two men were arrested Feb. 3, 2017; Lopez was already in custody in connection with the fire. One suspect was still being sought. (Los Angeles Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

This undated photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Ramiro Valerio. Valerio is one of three suspects arrested in a deadly fire that struck an apartment building in the Westlake district of Los Angeles in 1993, taking the lives of 12 people including the deaths of late-term fetuses. Police Chief Charlie Beck says two men were arrested Feb. 3, 2017, and a woman was already in custody in connection with the fire. One suspect was still being sought. (Los Angeles Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

The Latest on the arrests of three people in connection with a 1993 apartment fire that killed 10 people in Los Angeles (all times local):

4 p.m.

Prosecutors say three people have pleaded not guilty to murder charges in connection with a 1993 Los Angeles apartment building fire that killed 10 people, including seven children.

Ramiro Valerio, Joseph Monge and Johanna Lopez appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to face 12 counts of murder and other charges. The names of their attorneys weren't immediately known.

Los Angeles district attorney's office spokesman Greg Risling says the three are being held without bail.

Prosecutors say the May 1993 blaze was set as revenge against an apartment manager who tried to stop rampant drug dealing in the building.

Ten people, including two pregnant women, were killed in the May 1993 fire in the Westlake district. Court papers show two of the murder charges relate to the women's unborn fetuses.

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3 p.m.

Prosecutors say three people have been charged with murder in connection with a 1993 apartment building fire that killed 10 people, including seven children.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office says Ramiro Valerio, Joseph Monge and Johanna Lopez were charged Tuesday with 12 counts of murder and other charges.

Ten people, including two pregnant women, were killed in the May 1993 fire in the Westlake district. Court papers show two of the murder charges relate to the women's unborn fetuses.

Prosecutors say the blaze was set as revenge against an apartment manager who tried to stop rampant drug dealing in the building.

Prosecutors say the three suspects are expected to be arraigned later Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if they have attorneys who could comment on the charges.