LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A Venice man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to killing a Los Angeles International Airport police officer as he carjacked his patrol car.
William Sadowski, 47, is charged with dragging Officer Tommy Edward Scott to his death as Scott attempted to hold on to the patrol car on April 29.
Scott, 35, was the first airport police officer to die in the line of duty in the department's 59-year-old history.
Sadowski, who entered his plea through his attorney in Los Angeles County Superior Court, was ordered held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 18 for a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors allege Sadowski gained control of Scott's patrol car during a struggle between the two men and drove off, dragging Scott along the driver's side of the car before crashing into a fire hydrant.
Sadowski then allegedly attempted to carjack another car and eventually carjacked a third car. He is also charged with those crimes, as well as special circumstances of killing a peace officer during performance of his duties and murder during a carjacking.
Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
