The Associated Press

Thu, Dec 4, 2008 (3:09 p.m.)

The 19-year-old son of former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and three other men have pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the October stabbing death of a college student in San Diego.

Esteban Nunez entered his plea Thursday along with 22-year-old Ryan Jett and Rafael Garcia and Leshanor Thomas, both 19.

San Diego Superior Court Judge David Szumowski set bail at $2 million for Nunez, Garcia and Thomas. He denied bail to Jett because of a previous, unspecified conviction.

Each defendant is charged with one count of murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor count of vandalism. They could face maximum sentences of life in prison if convicted of murder.