A man who allegedly shot and killed an 18-year-old Navy sailor in San Diego’s East Village, then fled the state, pleaded not guilty Friday to murder.
Ta’Kari Terell Benness, 20, was arrested on Oct. 16 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, nearly two months after police say he shot operations specialist seaman apprentice Albert Soto, who was assigned to the San Diego-based destroyer USS Pinckney.
Benness, who was extradited to San Diego this week, faces up to 50 years to life in state prison if convicted of murder, plus an allegation of using a gun in the killing. He remains in custody without bail.
At Benness’ arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Matthew Carberry said Soto was at a club with his friends on the night of Aug. 30 when his group got into a fight with Benness and three other men…