Cold Case In Court

A Bakersfield man accused of murdering an Oxnard woman, almost 33 years ago, appeared in court today.John Clark Russell entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.The 63 year old is accused of killing Alma Zuniga in the early morning hours of March 11th 1979.A farmer found her remains in a field off North Rose Avenue.Detectives believe the 23 year old was sexually assaulted before she was stabbed and shot to death.Members of the Ventura County Cold Case Homicide Task Force say a combined DNA index system known as CODIS helped them link Russell to the crime.Zuniga’s only child was raised by a grandparent in New Mexico.By phone, Jaime Zuniga said he did not expect the suspect to plea guilty because he does not think he can get a reduced sentence.After all these year Zuniga said now they can get on with the trial, “the sooner the better. ” Russell is due back in court for a hearing December 5th.Cold Case KEY News will have more details at 5, 6 and 6:30 p.m.Share your comments about this story with us on the KEY News Facebook page. Connect with KEY News on Twitter