Conoray Lawantara pleads not guilty to Beverly Hills murder charge

Conoray Lawantara, 19, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges following a fatal stabbing in Beverly Hills. The incident occurred late Sunday night, August 30, in an alleyway in the 400 block of North Palm Drive.

Police responded to the scene and found 40-year-old Vanik Voskanyan suffering from a neck wound. Voskanyan was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Lawantara, who was also treated at a hospital for injuries including a stab wound and a bitten finger, was subsequently arrested.

In recorded statements to officers, Lawantara claimed he acted in self-defense, stating that the victim reached for him first. He noted that he used a 3.9-inch knife during the altercation. Lawantara is being held on $2 million bail and has been ordered to undergo GPS monitoring if bond is posted. He has surrendered his passport.