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Man pleads not guilty in fatal Monterey Park stabbing

An 18-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge stemming from allegations that he walked up to a stranger and stabbed him in a Monterey Park parking lot, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office.

Angel Octavio Garcia of South San Gabriel was arrested eight days after the killing of 35-year-old Edward Mendoza, prosecutors said.

Mendoza was stabbed Oct. 14 in a parking lot in the 1700 block of Potrero Grande Drive. He called 911 and was taken to a hospital, where he died.

After the stabbing, a person came forward and said Garcia was the assailant. There are no indications that Mendoza and Garcia knew each other, prosecutors said. Garcia is due in court Jan. 9.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

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