Courtroom gasps as Ashlee Buzzard pleads not guilty to daughter's murder |
This image made from surveillance footage captured at a rental car company on Oct. 7, 2025, and released by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, shows Melodee Buzzard, left, and Ashlee Buzzard, right, in Lompoc, Calif. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
LOS ANGELES - Ashlee Buzzard, the California mother accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, pleaded not guilty Friday morning during a brief but emotional arraignment in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Buzzard, 40, appeared in custody for the hearing, where a judge formally arraigned her on charges of first-degree murder, "lying in wait" and related firearm charges in the death of her daughter, whose remains were discovered Dec. 6 in a remote area of Utah.
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The courtroom erupted as Buzzard entered the not guilty plea on all counts, as people seated in the gallery cried "oh my god," video of the hearing shows. A court officer briefly called for order before the proceeding continued.
Buzzard will remain held without bail pending further proceedings, according to the Santa Barbara County district attorney's office. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Authorities allege that