Suspect in 210 Freeway Murder Pleads 'Not Guilty'

UPDATE: Aram Sarukhanyan pleaded not guilty Thursday morning in Los Angeles to charges he murdered his cousin, Adrine Arzumanyan, in April.

Though Sarukhanyan sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, he appeared in court without bandages or any evidence of a wound.

Sarukhanyan's new defense attorney is Daniel V. Behesnilian. Judge Upinder Kalra set his bail at $2.2 million. Sarukhanyan's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 8:30 a.m. in Los Angeles Superior Court in downtown L.A.

Previously: Sarukhanyan, suspected of killing his cousin and dumping her body on the 210 Freeway, is scheduled to be arraigned on murder charges Thursday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court in downtown L.A.

On May 11, 27-year-old Sarukhanyan was charged with . Arzumanyan's body was found dumped along the 210 westbound freeway on the evening of April 29.

The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed she died of multiple gunshot wounds. Sarukhanyan was found on the 2 southbound freeway April 29, having sustained self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Judge Upinder Kalra will preside. Deputy District Attorney Efrain Aceves will be handling the prosecution. Sarukhanyan was slated to be represented by the law firm Donath and Stephanian, but Stephanian confirmed earlier today that he is no longer representing Sarukhanyan. Sarukhanyan is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

Check back with Patch on Thursday afternoon for continued coverage of Sarukhanyan's arraignment.