A man pleaded not guilty Monday to the ax murder of a 27-year-old professional dancer whose body was found in a remote area of Azusa Canyon as the victim's friends and family danced on the courthouse steps in his honor.
"I just had to see who hurt him," Christina Oliver, the victim's girlfriend, said.
Phillip Von Wade, 20, is charged with the Sept. 5 killing of Rahkeem "Rocky'" Reyes and would face up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Oliver said they had plans last Monday night but when he didn't show up, she contacted his family.
"My sons, my daughter, they all give me a hug and kiss whenever they see me and before they leave me," Delia Reyes, the victim's mother, said. "I had no idea that was going to be my last hug and kiss from my son."
Reyes was last seen about 5:40 p.m. Sept. 5. The car he was driving was left running, with his laptop, wallet and other items left inside, in the 1500 block of McWood Street in West Covina.
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Reyes' body was found 2 1/2 miles up Azusa Canyon on Saturday morning, five days after prosecutors say he was killed.
Reyes was last seen heading to West Covina home to Von Wade's home, who was making a costume for Reyes.
Von Wade and Reyes were friends, according to prosecutors, who allege that Wade bludgeoned the victim with an ax at a home in West Covina and then dumped his body in the canyon.
Reyes was a professional dancer who had appeared in several dance videos, movies and commercials in addition to live stage performances, according to a family friend.
"It's insane any of this is even happening," Alex Fajardo, Reyes' friend, said. "I literally couldn't believe it until I saw his face on TVand I was at work and just broke down."
Fajardo is one of half a dozen friends who knew Reyes from their break dancing crew in college and felt compelled to be in court Monday.
"He uplifted me all the time and made me better. I love you, Rocky. I never said that. I should've," Robert Torres said.
The friends danced on the courthouse steps to honor rocky, whom they say always cheered them up with encouraging words and with dance.
His friends are planning a candlelight vigil at the place where they all met, Mt. San Antonio College.
If convicted, Von Wade faces 26 years to life in prison.
He is being held on more than $2 million bail and was ordered to return to the Pomona courthouse on Oct. 17, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
City News Service contributed to this report.
