The 43-year-old man charged with stabbing to death his ex-girlfriend steps away from the Newark preschool where she was a teacher's aide pleaded not guilty to murder at his arraignment this morning.
Prosecutors say the defendant, Estol Molina, killed Erica Ortiz-Fuentes, 36, by stabbing her in the neck on the morning of Sept. 30, as she walked to the Newark Preschool Council, where she worked. Authorities say there were witnesses to the attack.
Ortiz-Fuentes, a mother of four, had a temporary restraining order against Molina following several complaints of domestic abuse, authorities said. Her relatives and friends said Molina, of Newark, had spent the preceding days stalking Ortiz-Fuentes, also of Newark. Her scheduled court date to file for a permanent restraining order against him was for later that afternoon.
Through his public defender, Molina pleaded not guilty to murder and two weapons offenses at today's appearance in Superior Court in Newark, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor William Neafsey said. He did not speak during the brief proceeding, Neafsey said, in which more than a dozen of the victim's relatives and friends attended.
Molina, who has five previous arrests for assault on his record, remains held at Essex County Jail in lieu of $500,00 bail. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 20.
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