Update - 4:03 p.m. Friday
Roshawn Lamar Broadnax pleaded not guilty Friday to the charge of murder of his girlfriend, Deazjnae Banks.
(Editor's Note: Previous versions of this story described the victim as the defendant's wife. Authorities are now saying she was Broadnax's girlfriend.)
Broadnax was ordered held on $3 million bail.
During the defendant's arraignment Friday, Deputy District Attorney Danielle Hickman said Broadnax and Banks had been dating for about a year-and-a- half.
"What is very concerning about this case obviously is that it's a case of domestic violence," the prosecutor said outside court. "It's very tragic that we're here today because a young woman in our community has now died at the hands of someone she was in a relationship with."
Broadnax, who has a prior conviction for burglary, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted. A readiness conference is scheduled July 19 and a preliminary hearing for July 26.
Update - 11:29 a.m. Friday
Roshawn Lamar Broadnax, 20, a former student, is now being charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Deazjnae Banks, 19. Banks, who had been hospitalized at Scripps Mercy Hospital since July 10, was taken off of life-support Thursday night, and was pronounced dead at 9:33 p.m.
Broadnax, will be arraigned Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the El Cajon Courthouse.
The sheriff's department has not released any additional information in this case.
Original story:
A woman was hospitalized in grave condition Wednesday as her 20-year-old boyfriend sat in jail on suspicion of attempted murder and spousal abuse following an incident in Spring Valley, authorities said.
Roshawn Lamar Broadnax was arrested after medics were called to tend to his wife in the 9500 block of Piedmont Street in Spring Valley around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to San Diego County sheriff's Lt. Larry Nesbit.
Broadnax is a Helix Charter High School alumnus, where he ran track for the Scotties in 2008, earning JV honor roll status for his performances in the 400 meters and triple jump as a sophomore.
Medics found Broadnax tending to his injured girlfriend, who was taken to an area hospital but is not expected to survive, the homicide lieutenant said in a statement. The nature of her injuries was not disclosed.
Broadnax was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of one count each of attempted murder and spousal abuse, Nesbit said. Broadnax is not eligible for release on bail. He is set to be arraigned on the charges at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 13, at El Cajon Superior Court.
In January 2011, Broadnax was driving his father's Chevrolet Corvette in Spring Valley at about 80 mph on a residential road, when . He and another passenger were injured in the crash.
—City News Service contributed to this story.
