VISTA (CNS) - Two ex-cons accused in the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old mother whose bullet-riddled body was found near the Lawrence Welk Resort pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges Wednesday.
Jeffrey Steven McCreary, 42, and Destin Lee Withers, 35, are charged in the death of Morayma Denise Rodriguez, the mother of an 11-month-old daughter.
The victim told her family the night of Jan. 31 that she was going out with friends to a casino, but she never returned. Her body was discovered the next day on Lawrence Welk Court.
McCreary was arrested Saturday after a car chase in Escondido.
The prosecutor also did not provide a motive or say whether the defendants knew the victim, but did tell reporters after the hearing that "this was an orchestrated murder."
Vista Superior Court Judge Marshall Hockett called the defendants "an extreme danger to the community" as he set bail at $5 million for each.
"That will be high enough bail to make sure these two gentlemen will stay in custody and won't be around to hurt anybody else," Breton said.
The prosecutor said McCreary faces allegations that he has two prior strike convictions and personally used a firearm, bringing his possible maximum sentence to 100 years to life if convicted.
"Mr. McCreary is also the person we believe actually pulled the trigger," Breton said.
According to court records, his prior convictions were for armed robbery and possession of methamphetamine.
Withers faces a maximum of 28 years to life in prison if convicted.
The judge scheduled a readiness conference for Feb. 21 and a preliminary hearing for Feb. 23.
