New Jersey schoolyard slaying suspect pleads not guilty

(CNN) -- Rodolfo Godinez, one of six suspects charged in a triple slaying in a Newark, New Jersey, schoolyard, pleaded not guilty Wednesday at Essex County Veterans Courthouse, the county prosecutor's office said.

His bail was set at $2.5 million, said Charlotte Smith, executive assistant prosecutor.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have placed a hold on Godinez, which means that he would not be released even if he were to make bail, according to The Associated Press.

Roy Greenman, an attorney for Godinez, declined to comment, AP reported.

Godinez, 24, was arrested in Maryland in August and fought extradition to New Jersey for several months. He was returned to New Jersey on Saturday.

The Nicaraguan immigrant faces 16 charges, including three murder counts, for the August 4 killings, AP reported.

The other suspects in the case -- Jose Carranza, an undocumented worker from Peru; Melvin Jovel; and three juveniles -- also have pleaded not guilty.

They are accused of killing Terrance Aeriel, 18; Dashon Harvey, 20; and Iofemi Hightower, 20, by shooting them in the head execution-style after making the college students kneel against a wall on the grounds of an elementary school.

Aeriel's sister, Natasha, also was shot in the head but survived and has helped police with the investigation. E-mail to a friend

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