Man accused of killing Santa Cruz girl pleads not guilty

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The Santa Cruz man accused of killing 8-year-old Maddy Middleton three years ago has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

Adrian Gonzalez was 15 years old when he was arrested, but is now being charged as an adult  after his attorneys failed to have that ruling overturned.

Prosecutors say in July of 2015 Gonzalez lured Maddy to his mother's apartment, then raped her and stabbed her to death.

If convicted Gonzalez could get life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He is due back in court in July.

Read our previous coverage on the case here.