By Lookout Staff

July 7, 2010--Kelly Soo Park, 44, pleaded not guilty to a murder charge on Tuesday in the Airport Courthouse. She is accused of involvement in the 2008 death of aspiring model and actress Juliana Redding.

The Thousand Oaks resident is being held on $1 million bail. She will reappear in the courtroom on July 20 for a hearing to determine if the bail should go up to $5 million. The prosecution had asked for the amount to increase because, according to court papers, they believe Park was involved in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Prosecutors alleged Park had received $250,000 prior to the killing from her employer, Dr. Munir Uwayaday. More money went to Park’s family shortly before her arrest. Uwayaday had a failed business relationship with the victim’s father, according to published reports.

Park was one of two suspects arrested last month in Oxnard for the murder of 21-year-old Redding. The other arrestee, 34-year-old Ronnie Wayne Case, was not charged, but he has not been eliminated as a suspect. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has been asked to continue its investigation regarding Case. SMPD officials say there could be additional arrests in connection with the murder.

Redding was found dead in her apartment in March 2008 due to what SMPD officials said was an apparent assault. She had recently moved to the Los Angeles area from Arizona to pursue modeling and acting.

Those with information about this case should contact Lt. Mike Beautz at 310-458-8488 or the SMPD Tip-line at 310-458-8449. Information can be e-mailed to tipline@smgov.net.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Callers could be eligible for a reward if the information leads to an arrest and conviction. Anonymous tips can also be made by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS through voice or text and at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters could qualify for a $1,000 reward by Crime Stoppers.