By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Michael Mele, the registered sex offender accused of killing Laura Garza, pleaded not guilty to murder charges Monday morning, according to published reports.
Mele, 25, who had previous convictions for masturbating in public, was captured on surveillance camera leaving Chelsea's Marquee nightclub with Garza on Dec. 3, 2008, on the night the aspiring dancer went missing. Witnesses also reported seeing Mele and Garza together in Newburgh, N.Y. later that night.
ATV riders discovered Garza's skeletal remains near Scranton, Penn., in April, after an exhaustive search effort for the missing dancer failed to yield results.
Mele, who is serving time for violating his parole for a previous sex offense, was indicted on murder charges in Orange County last week.
Mele and his lawyer John Ingrassia declined to comment following the Monday arraignment, the Wall Street Journal said.
Mele may apply for bail through a written request, according to the paper.
