Maricela Diaz pleads not guilty to Jasmine Guevara murder

ALEXANDRIA - A 16-year-old girl accused of murdering a 16-year-old Mitchell girl two years ago pleaded not guilty to all six charges in the case Wednesday at the Hanson County Courthouse.

Maricela Nicolasa Diaz, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Guanajuato, Mexico, pleaded not guilty to three first-degree murder charges, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree arson and second-degree aggravated kidnapping.

If convicted of the most severe charges, she would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Because she is younger than 18, she cannot be executed.

For more on this story, look for updates on this website and read Thursday's print edition of The Daily Republic.

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