CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : Innocent Plea in Freeway Killings

Freeway killer suspect Charles Arnett Stevens has pleaded innocent to six counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder in connection with a series of fatal shootings along Interstate-580 in downtown Oakland. Stevens, 21, who was arrested a year ago after a motorist identified him as the man who took a shot at him from a freeway overpass, was ordered to return to court Oct. 4 for a trial date. The motorist whom Stevens allegedly shot at then followed Stevens’ vehicle and told police he saw the suspect shoot at another driver, who crashed and died of a bullet wound to the head. The victim, Raymond August, 28, an aircraft engineer, was driving home from work when he was killed. Arresting officers said a .357-magnum semi-automatic pistol fell from the waistband of Steven’s trousers when he was apprehended.