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LAPD Protesters Plead Not Guilty

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Two Los Angeles men have pleaded not guilty
to illegally setting a fire during a violent protest over the
police shooting of a knife-wielding man.

The city attorney's office says 24-year-old Carlos Garcia and
25-year-old Fernando Aguila entered pleas Thursday to two
misdemeanor charges each.

If convicted, they could each face up to
180 days in Los Angeles County jail and a $1,000 fine.
Both men have been released from jail and authorities did not
immediately know whether they have obtained lawyers.

Prosecutors claim the pair lit a bonfire and threw wood on the
blaze Monday night in the first protest of the shooting of
37-year-old Manuel Jamines on Sunday.

Police and the mayor have defended the actions of an officer who
responded to a report that a man was threatening people with a
knife.
(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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