Not Guilty Plea In Murder Of West Covina Dancer

POMONA (CBSLA.com) — A 20-year-old man pleaded not guilty Monday to the ax murder of a professional dancer whose body was discovered in a remote area of Azusa Canyon.

Phillip Von Wade appeared in a Pomona courtroom to enter his plea in the killing of 27-year-old Rahkeem "Rocky" Reyes.

Von Wade - who is being held on more than $2 million bail - was ordered to return Oct. 17, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Deputy District Attorney Marie Cox, who is assigned to the case, said Von Wade nd Reyes were friends.

Reyes, a professional dancer who had appeared in several dance videos, movies and commercials, was last seen about 5:40 p.m. Monday. His body was found on Saturday morning nearly three miles up Azusa Canyon.

The car he was driving was left running in the 1500 block of McWood Street in West Covina. His laptop, wallet and other items were left inside.

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