SANTA ANA, Calif. — A registered nurse has pleaded not guilty to killing a friend in Southern California who'd asked her to help him die after a romantic breakup.
Authorities say 58-year-old Kristie Koepplin of Peoria, Arizona entered a not guilty plea to murder on Monday in Orange County. She was released after posting $1 million bail.
Prosecutors contend Koepplin lethally injected Matthew Sokalski with drugs last year.
His body was found in a Mission Viejo hotel room. Koepplin was arrested two weeks ago in Arizona. She could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer says California's right-to-die law applies only to terminally ill adults and says it's "beyond disturbing" that a nurse allegedly took a life.
