At his preliminary hearing earlier this month, a San Mateo County Superior Court judge determined there was enough evidence for Redwood City resident Adrian Sedano to stand trial for the murder of 23-year-old Ramon Buenrostro on Aug. 9, 2008, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.
He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday and his trial was scheduled for May 3.
Sedano is charged with one count of murder and one count of engaging in felony criminal activity in furtherance of a street gang.
After a competency hearing last month, a judge ruled that Sedano was competent to stand trial, but Sedano's attorney Vincent O'Malley has said that he doesn't believe the case should go to trial.
Sedano faces 27 years to life in prison if convicted.
He is accused of stabbing Buenrostro during a fight between two groups of people in front of an apartment complex at 551 Geneva Ave. in Redwood City, Wagstaffe said.
Another teen, Christian Lopez, had also initially been charged with murder for hitting Buenrostro with a metal object during that fight, Wagstaffe said.
Lopez, however, pleaded no contest April 7 to felony assault with a deadly weapon and was released on his own recognizance until his sentencing Feb. 18, Wagstaffe said. He faces a maximum of four years in prison.
Sedano is in custody without bail.
