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LAPD officer pleads not guilty to attempted murder

By From CNN Produer Stanley Wilson

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LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A Los Angeles police officer pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder charges in connection with the shooting and paralyzing an unarmed gang member.

Veteran officer Nino Durden's plea was the latest development in the city's ongoing police corruption scandal. Durden, 32, remained in jail after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, citing the seriousness of the charges, refused to lower the $680,000 bail.

Durden was arrested at gunpoint Friday and taken to the same jail where his former partner, who is cooperating with the investigation, is serving part of a jail term on a cocaine-theft conviction.

Durden faces five additional charges involving a separate gun-planting incident and robbery case, according to court documents.

Rafael Perez, who is cooperating with authorities as part of a plea agreement made in September, told investigators he and Durden shot gang member Javier Francisco Ovando in October 1996, planted a gun on him and committed perjury, according to state prosecutors.

Perez and Durden initially said they were on a stakeout in an apartment west of downtown Los Angeles when they encountered Ovando, who allegedly pointed an "assault-type rifle" at them. Durden fired one round and Perez fired three, according to the complaint.

Ovando was struck in the head, chest and hip and left paralyzed by the shooting. He was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in state prison for attacking Durden and Perez.

Perez now says Durden left the scene of the shooting and returned with a gun recovered from an earlier arrest. The two officers concocted a story to cover up the shooting, according to court documents.

After serving three years in prison, Ovando was released after prosecutors determined he had been framed. Their conclusion was based on statements made in September by Perez.

An attorney for Durden told CNN his client "remains innocent " and described Perez as an "admitted liar."

"There are two very different accounts of what occurred between Perez and Ovando," said Durden attorney Bill Seki. "Why should you believe Perez, an admitted liar and thief?" he asked.

Other charges against Durden include framing Miguel Hernandez in 1996 on gun charges and robbing Grace Cox at gunpoint in 1997. Durden was ordered back to court Thursday for a hearing on whether he should be released on his own recognizance, said Judge Fidler.

In another development Monday, four Los Angeles police officers pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and perjury charges involving an alleged gun-planting case and two arrest incidents in 1996.

Trial was set for Sept. 27 for Sgt. Edward Ortiz, Sgt. Brian Liddy and Officer Paul Harper on criminal conspiracy and perjury charges involving the alleged planting of a gun on gang member Allan Lobos in 1996, according to court documents.

Ortiz, Liddy and Officer Michael Buchanan are also charged with falsely arresting two people on assault charges. Buchanan faces additional perjury charges involving another gun-charge arrest.

Since the corruption probe emerged in September, at least 35 officers have been relieved of duty, fired or quit as a result of the investigation, while 70 officers are under investigation.

Because of the investigation, 97 felony criminal convictions have been overturned.

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