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Not guilty pleas entered in killing of Compton infant

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Two of the three reputed gang members charged with the shooting death of a year-old girl, who was struck by gunfire while sleeping in her crib in Compton last year, have entered not guilty pleas.

Davion Ramal Douglas, 27, and Denzell Davon Hull, 25, are charged with murder in the Feb. 9, 2016, slaying of Autumn Johnson, along with one count each of attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Hull is also facing an additional count of attempted murder, as well as one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, for allegedly firing at a man sitting in a vehicle in Lynwood on March 26, 2016.

Douglas and Hull were in state prison on an unrelated burglary case when they were charged with Johnson’s killing.

Co-defendant Ronzay Deshon Richards, 25, pleaded not guilty Oct. 5 to one count each of murder and attempted murder.

All three men—who also face a gang allegation —remain jailed while awaiting their next appearance Dec. 14 at the Compton courthouse.

A fourth alleged gang member, Ray Howard Patterson Jr., 24, is charged with being an accessory after the fact. He is in a Nevada prison on an unrelated weapons count, and it’s not clear when he’ll be arraigned.

Patterson was arrested last year in connection with the shooting, but he was released from jail after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office asked the sheriff’s department to conduct further investigation into the shooting, which was done by detectives from the homicide and Compton Operation Safe Streets offices.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the city of Compton and the FBI had offered a $75,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the girl’s shooting death.

The baby was shot in the face after the driver of a blue, four-door Chevrolet Impala stopped in front of the converted garage where her family was living in the 300 block of North Holly Avenue, and a man got out and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Authorities said last year that they believed the shooting was gang-related.

If convicted as charged, Douglas could face up to 107 years to life in state prison, while Hull could face a maximum of 156 years to life behind bars and Richards could face up to 95 years to life in prison.

Patterson—who allegedly was made aware of the shooting immediately afterward—could face up to seven years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

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