A 22-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing his live-in girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter and wounding her pregnant mother pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Lataz Gray is charged with one count of murder in connection with the May 2 killing of the girl, identified as Maliaya Tademy, along with two counts of attempted murder involving his girlfriend and her unborn baby.
According to police, Gray attacked the woman and girl with a knife during a domestic dispute in the 3500 block of Arlington Avenue. The girl died at a hospital, but her mother — believed to be about five months pregnant at the time — survived the attack.
Police said Gray was not the toddler’s father.
“A 2-year-old innocent victim, stabbed multiple times … this was one of the most vicious incidents that I have seen and been part of in my 28 years in this police department,” LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham said.
Gray was arrested May 3 and has remained behind bars since then.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II ordered Gray to be held in lieu of $4.5 million bail while awaiting his next court appearance June 21, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
Gray faces up to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
—City News Service