Tenant Denies Raping, Killing Apartment Building’s Manager

A Panorama City man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he robbed, raped and murdered the new manager of his apartment building.

Mark Alan Bradford, 25, entered his plea in Van Nuys Municipal Court before Commissioner Patricia Gorner Schwartz shortly after the district attorney’s office charged him with murdering Lynia Kokes, 28.

The charge carries allegations of special circumstances for rape, sodomy, burglary, robbery and trying to prevent a witness from testifying, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Andrew W. Diamond.

Bradford could receive the death penalty if he is convicted.

A preliminary hearing, to determine if there is sufficient evidence to hold Bradford for trial, is scheduled for May 2. He is being held without bail in County Jail.

Police said that Kokes’ husband, Alex, was returning from work about 8 p.m. Monday when he found his wife’s body on the floor, near the front door of their apartment in the 9500 block of Van Nuys Boulevard.

Police said they questioned residents of the building and learned that Bradford, a tenant, had been seen helping Kokes, the new live-in manager, move her belongings into the apartment earlier in the day.

Bradford was arrested at his apartment, four doors away from the Kokes’ apartment. Police said Bradford stole Kokes’ wallet, which contained her driver’s license and credit cards. There was no money in the wallet, Diamond said.