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Los Angeles Daily News Cop-killer suspect enters plea Garcia denies capital murder charge. By Naush Boghossian Staff Writer Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - PASADENA -- A 19-year-old Sunland man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he fatally shot rookie Burbank police Officer Matthew Pavelka and wounded another officer during a Nov. 15 gunbattle. David A. Garcia, appearing in Pasadena Superior Court, entered his pleas to a capital murder charge in the death of Pavelka, 26, and an attempted murder charge in the wounding of Officer Gregory Campbell, 41. "We will challenge these charges straight on," said his attorney, Andrew Flier of Encino. "He's not backing down. We're ready to fight on his behalf, irrespective of the pressure law enforcement is bestowing." Garcia, a reputed gang member, has been charged with the special circumstance of murder of a police officer -- a crime that makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Garcia also faces charges of transporting methamphetamine, possessing a machine gun and possessing armor-piercing ammunition. Pavelka was fatally wounded when he and Campbell exchanged gunfire with two men in the parking lot of a Burbank Ramada Inn following a routine traffic stop of an SUV. The officers shot and killed Ramon Aranda, 25, but a suspect identified as Garcia escaped on foot. Pavelka was the first Burbank officer killed by gunfire in 83 years. Mexican authorities captured Garcia in Tijuana on Thanksgiving Day after he had been on the run for two weeks. He is being held at Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles without bail. Flier said Tuesday that his client was being treated harshly at the lockup -- such as being kept in a cell 23 hours a day with barely a chance to take a shower. "The fact that my client's not being treated properly -- I find that very wrong in our system," Flier said. A preliminary hearing date is scheduled to be set Jan. 28. Naush Boghossian, (818) 546-3306 News Topics | Home | Research | History | Blood Gangs | Crip Gangs | People| Life in a Gang | Gallery | Iraqi Cards | Memorial | Migration | Graffiti | Resume| Injunctions Homicides | Maps | California Prisons | Contact

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