The suspect charged in the murder of Viccky Gutierrez, a Pico-Union transgender woman, is scheduled to appear in court this week for a second arraignment. Photo: Facebook.
The suspect charged in the murder of Viccky Gutierrez, a Pico-Union transgender woman, is scheduled to appear in court this week for a second arraignment.
Kevin Ramirez, 29, has another arraignment Friday at the the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles because earlier this month Judge Sam Ohta determined during a preliminary hearing that enough evidence exists for the case to proceed. At that point, the defendant must return to court and enter a plea.
Ramirez, is being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s website, previously entered a plea of not guilty.
Ramirez’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment.
Ramirez has been charged with a special circumstance murder in the fatal stabbing of Victoria Ramos “Viccky” Gutierrez on Jan. 10, 2018.
Ramirez allegedly met Gutierrez after she posted an advertisement online as a sex worker and he responded, according to evidence presented during the February 5 preliminary hearing, said Greg Risling, a spokesman with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The two allegedly had sex at Gutierrez’s Pico-Union area apartment, but Ramirez wanted his money back. When Gutierrez refused, Ramirez allegedly fought with and stabbed her, and then set her home on fire, Risling said.
If Ramirez would be convicted as charged, he would face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The prosecutor has not yet decided which punishment to pursue, the District Attorney’s Office has said.
Ramirez also has been charged with one count of arson with allegations of multiple structures and one count of use of an accelerant.
