Robert “Trey” Whitaker, 57, appeared on a video screen from a room in jail before San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeff Fraser and pleaded not guilty.
Whitaker is accused of torture, kidnapping, assault, burglary, and attempt to dissuade a witness.
There are no jury trials until June under orders from the California Chief Justice and declarations of a state of emergency....
The Superior Court in El Cajon, Chula Vista, San Diego, and Vista was closed March 17 following an emergency proclamation about the spread of the coronavirus.
They will reopen on Monday, April 6.
Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne issued the closing order following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency as well as a declaration of a local health...