Former Marine accused of killing his girlfriend pleads not guilty

( Spanish) — A former United States Marine, who is the main suspect in the death of his girlfriend in 2016 and who was arrested in El Salvador on Monday, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge this Friday during a hearing in a San Diego court. , Calif.

Raymond McLeod, who was on the US Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list for more than six years, has also been assigned a public defender and will be held without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for January 26, 2023.

After the hearing, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan told a news conference that McLeod could face 25 years to life if convicted in Krystal Mitchell’s death.

McLeod was arrested inside his classroom in El Salvador

McLeod was arrested by agents of the National Civil Police of El Salvador this Monday in Sonsonate, a city located about 63 km west of San Salvador, according to a statement from the US Marshals Service.

Joe O’Callaghan, an agent with the US Marshals Service, said at a press conference on Friday that the former Marine was detained in a school classroom while teaching English under another name.

Upon being taken into custody, McLeod confirmed his identity and did not object to the arrest, the Service had reported in its statement.

Mitchell was found dead in a San Diego apartment in June 2016. Investigators said at the time they found “signs of a struggle” at the crime scene. San Diego Police determined the victim was last seen alive with McLeod.