Man Charged in Killing of Woman Found in Trunk

A Los Angeles man has been charged with killing a Washington state woman who was shot five times and died after being discovered in the trunk of her burning car in Inglewood.

Donald Ray Debose Jr., 20, pleaded not guilty in Inglewood Municipal Court this week to five felony counts that could result in the death penalty if he is convicted. Deputy Dist. Atty. Todd Rubenstein said Debose was charged with murder with special circumstances, arson and robbery. The special circumstances are killing in the course of a robbery and with the use of a gun.

Debose was also charged with attempted first-degree murder and robbery in a separate case. Officials said Debose was involved in a similar incident that occurred one week after he allegedly attacked Dannie Kim of Walla Walla, Wash. Rubenstein would not discuss the second incident further.

Firefighters found Kim, 32, stuffed into the trunk of a car that was set afire early Dec. 17. When firefighters doused the blaze they discovered Kim barely alive. She was severely burned and had been shot multiple times in the chest.

Kim died of her injuries Dec. 22 at the burn unit at County-USC Medical Center.

Debose is being held without bail at Los Angeles County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 15.