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Avila pleads innocent in Samantha Runnion killing

Alejandro Avila, center, at Friday's arraignment.

SANTA ANA, California (CNN) -- The man accused of kidnapping and killing 5-year-old Samantha Runnion pleaded innocent Friday.

Alejandro Avila, 27, was arraigned in Orange County Superior Court on charges that he raped and killed Samantha. A pretrial hearing was set for September 16.

Earlier this week prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty against Avila and would not consider a plea bargain.

Avila faces first-degree murder charges in the killing of Samantha, whom he is accused of abducting July 15 outside her Stanton, California, home. Medical authorities determined the child was sexually assaulted before her death.

The charges include two counts of forcible, lewd conduct upon a child younger than 14.

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Less than 24 hours after her disappearance, a passerby discovered Samantha's nude body on a rural road about 50 miles from her home.

In addition to the counts against Avila, prosecutors have alleged three special circumstances, each of which could make him eligible for the death penalty. They are that Avila killed Samantha during the commission of two lewd acts and during the commission of a kidnapping.

Avila, who is being held without bond, has told investigators he was at a mall in San Bernardino County around the time of Samantha's abduction. A source, however, has told CNN multiple calls from Avila's cell phone and numerous credit card purchases place Avila in nearby south Orange County, where Samantha lived. Additionally, The Associated Press investigators have said that DNA evidence found on the girl's body matches that of Avila.

Avila's court-appointed attorney said Friday she expected to request a change of venue for the trial. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said he expects the case to be tried in Orange County, and that "under no circumstances" would he accept a plea bargain.

If all sides exercise their rights to a speedy trial, Rackauckas said, the case could go to court within 90 days from Friday. He said he does not expect the defense to want a delay.