Man Under House Arrest Pleads Innocent in Killing

A man who was under house arrest and wearing an electronic surveillance device when he allegedly fled his home and shot his estranged wife pleaded innocent to a murder charge Wednesday.

Steven Moon Martinez, 26, entered his plea in Compton Municipal Court for the Oct. 6 slaying of his wife, Nikki, who reportedly thought she was safe from his threats because of the monitoring device. Martinez was ordered to wear the anklet for 90 days by a Long Beach Municipal Court judge, after pleading no contest last summer to a charge of firing a gun into the air. The device was to be removed Oct. 17.

The electronic device only detects the wearer’s presence in the area of confinement and doesn’t function if the person leaves that area, officials said. In addition, there is a procedural delay before the wearer’s departure can be reported to police.

Martinez is being held without bail.