Plea of not guilty entered in Dimple Dell slaying

Jorge M. Benvenuto pleaded not guilty to charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder in last year's slaying of Zachary Snarr during his arraignment before 3rd District Court Judge Anne M. Stirba Monday.

He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery, a first degree felony. If convicted, Benvenuto could be sentenced to die.Salt Lake Deputy District Attorney Robert Stott said last month his office will not offer any plea bargains to Benvenuto.

Police arrested Benvenuto the night after Snarr and Yvette Rodier, both 18, were assaulted while taking pictures of the moon at Dimple Dell Reservoir in Parleys Canyon Aug. 29. The suspect shot Snarr several times in the head and wounded Rodier in the head, side, shoulder and left leg with a .44 magnum handgun.

Rodier faced Benvenuto during a preliminary hearing last month and pointed to him, saying he was the gunman who shot her and Snarr. "I could see all of his face. I could feel his breathing," she said from the witness stand.

The trial is scheduled to begin later this month.