Pedro Bravo pled not guilty Tuesday to five additional charges in his alleged connection to Christian Aguilar’s murder.
On Nov. 15, a grand jury brought charges against Bravo including lying to police, providing false reports, mishandling human remains, tampering with physical evidence, and poisoning food and/or water with the intent to kill or injure a person.
A jury previously indicted Bravo on charges of kidnapping and homicide, which he also pled not guilty to, according to Alligator archives.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the State Attorney’s Office collected saliva samples from Bravo and later collected handwriting samples from him at the Alachua County Jail.
Judge Mark Moseley discussed deposition schedules with witnesses before the next case management hearing, scheduled for Jan. 22.
A representative from the State Attorney’s Office said the prosecution had “about 100 witnesses available” to give testimonies.
On Wednesday, Alan Chipperfield, Bravo’s defense attorney, said the witnesses are usually people who have knowledge of the case.
As the case moves forward, the defense will review the prosecution’s evidence and interviews with witnesses.
“We are allowed to take deposition from certain witnesses who are designated as important,” Chipperfield said.
Bravo has remained in custody at the Alachua County Jail since he was arrested Sept. 24, four days after Aguilar, 18, went missing.
Contact Chris Alcantara at calcantara@alligator.org.
