A man accused of stabbing his wife to death in front of their three young children four years ago pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that include murder.
Francisco Uriarte, 41, fled to Mexico following the killing of Natalia Uriarte, 35, who was found in the early-morning hours of March 29, 2020 according to Chula Vista police.
The couple’s children, 9-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, were present at the time, police said.
Uriarte had been at large until his arrest in May, leading to his extradition to San Diego County. Police have not disclosed the circumstances behind his capture.
In court in Chula Vista before Superior Court Judge Rebecca Kanter, Deputy District Attorney Erin Casey said that in addition to being a danger to the community for the “brutal and violent” slaying, Uriarte also sent a voicemail to a witness threatening to kill that person.
Kanter ordered Uriarte to remain jailed without bail. He’s due back in court in December.
