Escort Service Driver Enters Plea In Corona Killing

An escort service driver accused of fatally stabbing a Corona man during an argument over money owed for call girl services pleaded not guilty today to a murder charge.

James Michael Apodaca, 32, of Corona could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted in the Nov. 15 death of 25-year-old Robert Alexander.

Along with the murder count, Apodaca faces a sentence-enhancing weapon allegation. He appeared  before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez, who scheduled a felony settlement conference in the case for Dec. 13 and kept the defendant's bail at $1 million.

Apodaca is being held at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

According to the District Attorney's Office, the defendant was working as a driver for an Internet-based escort service and transported a woman to Alexander's apartment in the 1600 block of Via Pacifica in the predawn hours of Nov. 15.

At the end of the woman's visit, a dispute ensued regarding the amount of her payment. According to Corona police Detective James Sears, Apodaca entered the apartment and exchanged words with Alexander, leading to a physical confrontation during which both men drew knives, and the victim was stabbed once in the chest.

Officers were called to the location to investigate reports of an assault and found Alexander unconscious and bleeding on the floor. He was pronounced dead an hour later at Corona Regional Medical Center.

According to court records, Apodaca was convicted in 2010 of misdemeanor charges of assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to three years probation, which ended in September. --City News Service