New Cassel teen pleads not guilty to slaying of witness of MS-13 case

A New Cassel teen pleaded not guilty in court Monday to the slaying of a witness of an MS-13 case.
Police say the 17-year-old killed 36-year-old Maldonado Rodriguez, who was expected to testify against MS-13 members. They say the teen is a suspected member of the gang.
Prosecutors say the suspect beat Rodriguez to death with a baseball bat on Feb. 2. Rodriguez’s body was found behind an abandoned house in New Cassel.
The case is being heard in youth court and the suspect’s name was not released due to his age. The suspect is due back in court Tuesday.
Prosecutors say they will try to have the case moved out of youth court and into the county's criminal court.