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The people charged in connection with the death of a 7-year-old girl appeared in court today.
The three weren't physically at the courthouse. They appeared via closed-circuit television from the county jail.
The proceedings were quick. The judge read the charges against them: counts of murder and obstruction of justice.
Gabriel Alvarez, 16; Mae Johnson, also 16 years old; and 20-year-old Frank Benavidez face 20 years to life in prison if convicted. They all are charged as adults.
Prosecutors say the three were involved in the drive-by shooting Sunday that killed 7-year-old Maria Del Carmen Menchaca while she was playing in the front yard of her Glendale home.
Menchaca's family has said they hope those responsible spend their lives behind bars.
The family of Mae Johnson says she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and would never hurt a child.
The judge set a scheduling conference for the three on July 28. The court also assigned them attorneys.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
