David Kirk Vergara, who was initially booked on suspicion of murder, pleaded not guilty to one count each of involuntary manslaughter and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence in connection with Sunday’s shooting death of 25-year-old David Bernal of Norwalk.
Vergara was showing Bernal a rifle at a Norwalk home when he allegedly pulled the trigger, according to prosecutors. Bernal and the suspect were both believed to have been intoxicated at the time, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
Bernal was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vergara is due back in a Norwalk courtroom Feb. 26, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial. He could face up to 14 years in state prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
–City News Service