Viccky Gutierrez was stabbed and her apartment set ablaze on Jan. 10. A suspect has been charged in her murder. Photo: Facebook.
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles man who faces the death penalty or life in prison for the murder of a Pico-Union transgender woman entered a plea of not guilty today.
CHARGED WITH 3 COUNTS
Kevyn Ramirez, 29, was charged with a special circumstance murder of Victoria Ramos Gutierrez during an attempted first-degree robbery while using a deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a press statement.
If convicted as charged, Ramirez faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The district attorney will decide whether or not to seek the death penalty at a later date, the statement said.
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ADDITIONAL COUNTS
Ramirez also was charged with two additional counts: arson with allegations of multiple structures and use of an accelerant, the statement said.
Ramirez was charged at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Ramirez, who was being held on $2,000,000 bail, is being held without bail.
Ramirez met Gutierrez online, but it’s not clear when, according to the criminal complaint.
APARTMENT SET ABLAZE
Ramirez allegedly stabbed Gutierrez and set her residence, an apartment in the 1700 block of South New Hampshire Avenue in the Pico-Union area, on fire during the morning of Jan. 10, according to the complaint.
During a press conference today, Lt. John Radtke of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide said a motive for Gutierrez’s murder is not known.
Police urged anyone with information on Ramirez or the fire to come forward.
The police refused to release Ramirez’s booking photo, saying it would not help the investigation.
SUBMITTING INFORMATION
Anyone with information regarding the fire death can contact Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide, 213-382-9470. During non-business hours or on weekends, call 1-877-527-3247.
Anyone who wants to remain anonymous can call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers, 800-222-8477, or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters also can visit lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Tipsters can also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
