Trousdale Estates Slaying Suspects Due in Court

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday for Scott Joseph Barker and Chie Alexandra Coggins Johnson, who have been charged in the stabbing death of Katsutoshi Tony Takazato in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills, Patch has confirmed with the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Barker, 23, and Johnson, 20, both pleaded not guilty in the death of Takazato, 21, during their arraignments in July. They are due at the Beverly Hills Courthouse at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Takazato was found dead about 6 a.m. July 20 outside his father's home on the 1800 block of Carla Ridge. The criminal complaint alleges Barker used a knife during the commission of the crime. L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter described the murder scene as "very bloody."

Johnson had dated the victim until recently, when she began dating Barker, who allegedly became enraged when he learned that Johnson may have been physically abused by Takazato, according to Deputy District Attorney Danette Meyers.

Takazato is the son of filmmaker Fuminori Hayashida, who produced several movies in the 1990s and 2000s, including Lured Innocence starring Dennis Hopper and No Strings Attached starring Christian Slater and Jared Leto.

Johnson and Barker face up to life in prison if convicted, according to the L.A. County District Attorney's Office.