Man pleads not guilty in Beverly Hills fatal stabbing of movie producer’s son
By APMonday, July 26, 2010
Man pleads not guilty in Beverly Hills stabbing
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A man accused of fatally stabbing a movie producer’s son at a Beverly Hills home has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Scott Barker entered the plea on Monday in Superior Court. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors say Barker stabbed 21-year-old Katsutoshi “Tony” Takazato last week at the victim’s home in the wealthy Trousdale Estates area. Takazato’s father, Fuminori Hayashida, lives in Japan and produced several movies in the 1990s, including “Lured Innocence” starring Dennis Hopper.
Prosecutors say Barker was dating Takazato’s former girlfriend and became enraged after she claimed Takazato had physically abused her.
The woman, Chie (CHEE) Coggins Johnson, also has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Barker and Johnson remain jailed on $3 million bail each.
(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects possible sentence Barker faces if convicted. This story is part of AP’s general news and entertainment services.)
