OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — A murder suspect accused of killing a Palm Beach Gardens Lyft driver earlier this year has pleaded not guilty.
Matthew Flores pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder during his arraignment Monday morning in Okeechobee County.
He's accused of shooting and killing Gary Levine, 74, in February. Levin's body was found in Okeechobee County a few days after his disappearance.
Flores was indicted by a Florida grand jury last month.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty.
Flores, who is also facing a murder charge in Wauchula, was arrested in North Carolina, where he was driving Levin's stolen Kia Singer. He was extradited to Florida in August.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson revealed during a news conference last month that Flores shot and killed a person in Wauchula and then fled in a stolen car, eventually making his way to Palm Beach County.
Lawson said an acquaintance hailed a Lyft for Flores so the fugitive could travel to North Carolina, where he used to live.
"It was unfortunately and sadly at that point, Mr. Levin was the one who responded to that call and picked up Mr. Flores," Lawson said.
Flores and Levin drove into Okeechobee County, where Flores shot and killed the Lyft driver inside his vehicle.
"Mr. Levin had been cruelly dumped in a rural, wooded area," Lawson said. "His murder was cold and senseless and completely unnecessary."
Judge Laurie Buchanan set Flores' next hearing for Dec. 13.