Man pleads not guilty in Capitol Hill slaying of hip-hop artist

An 18-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a hip-hop performer at a Capitol Hill nightclub earlier this month pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of first-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Carlos Bernardez is accused of slaying 24-year-old Joseph Ryan, also known as 29-E. Promoter Avery Turner, also known as Prezwell Jackson, and James Jones were wounded in the Jan. 4 shootings at Chop Suey.

Bernardez, who is being held in King County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail, appeared at King County Superior Court to enter his plea. His sister, who attended Wednesday's arraignment, declined to comment.

Another man at the club, Roger La Branche, has been charged with drug possession and also pleaded not guilty Wednesday. La Branche, 25, of Everett, was found with cocaine, a gun and $7,000 in cash, according to prosecutors.

According to charging papers, Bernardez knocked on the club's back door and asked to enter. After talking to the three victims, he opened fire and fled, court documents said.

Jones, one of the victims, told police he ran down the hallway and was confronted by La Branche, who he claims pulled out a gun and shot him, according to charging papers.

While King County prosecutors said La Branche remains a suspect, he has been charged only with drug possession.

King County Superior Court Judge Palmer Robinson lowered bail for La Branche from $500,000 to $100,000.

His father, Roger La Branche Sr., said after the arraignment that his son was innocent.

"He didn't do it," La Branche Sr. said. "I think he was set up."

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com