Missionary Pleads Not Guilty in Wife's Slaying

SOUTH LOS ANGELES

A missionary arrested in the strangulation death of his wife pleaded not guilty Friday to murder charges, according to the district attorney's office.

Mario Chacon Hernandez, 46, of South Los Angeles is being held in lieu of $1-million bail. He faces life in prison with possible parole.

Hernandez first told police he and his wife were abducted and she was sexually assaulted and killed. He then led police to her body in Angeles National Forest.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled March 12 at the Airport Courthouse.