Crime & Safety
Accused Killer Of Alianna DeFreeze Pleads Not Guilty
Christopher Whittaker, 44, faces chargess of aggravated murder in the death of the 14-year-old. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
CLEVELAND, OH - Christopher Whittaker, 44, the man accused of killing 14-year-old Alianna DeFreeze, pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges on Thursday morning. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Whittaker appeared for the first time before a grand jury on Thursday. He is accused kidnapping and raping DeFreeze before killing her.
DeFreeze was last seen on Jan. 26. after she boarded a bus to go to school. Her school then contacted Defreeze's mother and to let her know the child had not arrived. The mother called police and an effort to locate the 14-year-old was started.
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While police were searching the area near Kinsman Road and E. 93rd on Jan. 29, they entered an abandoned home on Fuller Avenue. During a sweep of the house, police found the body of a dead girl. That girl was later identified by the Medical Examiner's Office as Defreeze.
Police arrested Whittaker on Mayfield Road on Feb. 2 at about 7:15 p.m. Mayor Frank Jackson and Police Chief Calvin Williams announced his arrest the same day.
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Whittaker is being held in jail without bond, cleveland.com reports.
Photo from Cleveland Police
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