Woodland Hills Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Killing Her Mother

A 24-year-old woman accused of gunning down her mother in Woodland Hills pleaded not guilty today to a murder charge.

Laura Purviance is charged in the Feb. 13 slaying of her 61-year-old mother, Caroline, whose body was found about 8:20 p.m. the following day inside her home in the 5600 block of Mason Avenue.

Her daughter was arrested Feb. 22 by Oregon state troopers at the Valley of the Rogue rest area along Interstate 5, about 13 miles north of Medford, Ore., and brought back to Los Angeles several days later.

When she returns to Van Nuys Superior Court on May 23, a judge is expected to set a date for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require her to stand trial.

If convicted, she could face up to life in prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.