Alleged Tina Faelz Killer Pleads Not Guilty

A man has pleaded not guilty to charges in a Pleasanton cold case involving the 1984 murder of his high school classmate.

Fourteen-year-old Tina Faelz was stabbed to death while walking home from Foothill High School. Her body was found on a popular shortcut trail used by students.

Investigators say a DNA match led them last August to Steven John Carlson.

Carlson's case initially landed in juvenile court because he was 16 at the time. But an Alameda County judge recently transferred it to adult court, citing the brutal nature of the crime and previous failed attempts at rehabilitation.

Carlson entered his plea to the murder charge on Monday.

A gag order prevents all parties from commenting on the case.

Carlson was 16-years-old at the time. He told the Contra Costa Times shortly after he was arrested that he does not remember much of the police investigation into the crime.

He says he drank and did drugs a lot. Carlson admits he saw Faelz around on the Foothill High School campus, but did not know her personally.