by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - 21-year-old Zachary Tenorio pleaded not guilty during his arraignment hearing in San Diego superior court today. He is accused of murdering his older brother Jonathan Jake Tenorio. Zachary was visiting his brother while participating in a jiu-iitsu tournament. Zachary is charged with one count of murder with the allegation that he used a deadly weapon.

If convicted he faces up to 26 years to life in state prison. San Diego Deputy District Attorney Roy Lai accuses Zachary of killing his brother during an "alcohol fueled struggle". "What we have here is a brother who took a knife a six-inch kitchen knife, plunged it into the chest of Jonathan Tenorio; Jonathon fought struggled, stumbled, and ultimately bled to death," said Lai. He did not disclose a motive for the stabbing.

Zachary remains in custody on $1.5 million bail. He is scheduled to return to court on March 12 for a readiness conference. A preliminary hearing will follow on April 11 to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to jury trial.

Meanwhile, funeral services are scheduled for Jonathan for this Friday at the Santa Teresita Church in Mangilao. Jonathan was a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and was assigned to U.S.S. Bunker Hill in San Diego.