Murder defendant Nathan Ojeda took an insanity plea denying the charges handed down in an indictment against him in the superior court.

Ojeda stands accused in the deadly shooting of AJ Mendiola in Hagat.

Mendiola's family attended the virtual hearing today.

Ojeda pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness or defect to charges of aggravated murder and murder along with having a deadly weapon.

The 35-year-old remains held on a quarter-million dollars cash bail.

Ojeda contends he was initially targeted in the shooting, but witnesses told police Ojeda pulled the trigger first