CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- One of the two men arrested after a man’s body was found in a barrel in the San Diego Bay pled not guilty at his arraignment Thursday.
New details in the case also emerged as it was learned that the victim, 28-year-old Omar Medina, was stabbed a total of 66 times.
Derrick Jefferson Spurgeon, 38, pled not guilty on charges related to the murder and is being held on $500,000 bond.
RELATED: Arrests made in death of man whose body was found in drum floating in San Diego Bay
Both Spurgeon and Timothy John Cook, 52, were arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of Medina. If found guilty, Spurgeon faces six years in prison. Cook would face 87 years to life behind bars. Cook is expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon.
Medina’s body was found on October 12 after a diver found a white, 55-gallon drum floating in the bay.
According to police, the drum was anchored with cinder blocks.
RELATED: Chula Vista police identify man found dead inside barrel floating in San Diego Bay
Police said Medina had been reported missing two weeks before his body was found. Cook is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.
