LONG BEACH (CNS) - A Long Beach man pleaded not guilty today to murder, rape and sodomy charges stemming from his wife's death more than seven months ago.
Alexandro Carnes, 33, who is being held on $2 million bail, was ordered to return to a Long Beach courtroom Jan. 25, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing.
Carnes is facing one count each of murder, rape by use of drugs and sodomy of an unconscious or asleep victim.
About 3:15 a.m. on April 18, officers were dispatched to a local hospital on a report of an unresponsive patient with suspicious upper body injuries, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Police determined that Yesenia Carnes, 32, had been physically assaulted in her home in the 2800 block of Pacific Avenue, where she was found unresponsive by Long Beach Fire Department personnel.
Homicide detectives were sent to the residence that morning as part of the investigation due to the severity of her injuries, and she died the following day, according to police.
Investigators determined that the woman was home with her husband when he allegedly assaulted her, inflicting ultimately fatal injuries, police said.
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