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Accused Killer Lara Pleads Not Guilty

Edwin Lara faces four counts of aggravated murder.

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The former Central Oregon Community College security officer accused of killing a Bend woman pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated murder in Deschutes County Court Thursday August 25.

Edwin Lara is accused of abducting Kaylee Sawyer on July 24, attempting to sexually abuse her, and then killing her. Sawyer's body was found west of Redmond two days later, near Highway 126.

Lara — who told police he panicked after hitting Sawyer accidentally with his patrol car — was arrested along I-5 in California on July 26, after police say he took a Salem woman hostage, shot a man in motel, and carjacked a woman and her two sons.

Lara was extradited back to Oregon on Wednesday August 24 and will be back in court on September 28.