Brian Gonzales, 24, the Santa Barbara native charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Emily Fox, and her boyfriend 24-year-old Jerrad Scott at their Winnekta apartment building, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Judge Leland Harris’ Van Nuys courtroom.

Brian Anthony Gonzales

Fox, a Dos Pueblos High School alumna, was studying criminal justice at CSU Northridge. According to East County Magazine Scott — reportedly a father — was a star football player in 2008 and 2009 at Monte Vista High School in San Diego County.

On January 17, Gonzales allegedly “confronted” the couple in the hallway of Fox’s apartment building on the 7600 block of Winnekta’s Oso Avenue, stated Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey in a prior press release. When Scott tried to escape, Fox dialed 9-1-1. “Gonzales is accused of catching up to Scott and bringing him back at gunpoint to Fox’s location before fatally shooting both of them,” said Lacey. Gonzales was arrested two days later on a bus in Southern California.

In court on Thursday, Santa Barbara-based defense attorney Alan Karow asked to delay proceedings, saying he had only received evidence from discovery the morning of the arraignment. Denying the request, Judge Harris entered a plea of “not guilty” on Gonzales’ behalf.

“There’s never enough time for anything in this world. But we will do the best we can for Brian,” Karow told CSU Northridge’s The Sundial. “My heart breaks for everyone involved,” he said by phone to The Santa Barbara Independent.

Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sharon Ransom agreed it had taken a very long time for both sides to receive details on the crimes, according to the Sundial. Gonzales’ arraignment was delayed twice in the past three months. “It’s a serious case, and there’s still more that needs to be done,” Ransom told the Sundial.

In what could be a death penalty case, Gonzales is charged with two counts of murder and special circumstance allegations of using a gun, kidnapping, and committing multiple murders. The case returns to court June 13 in Van Nuys.

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