The only surviving suspect in a Lakewood homicide has pleaded not guilty in Jefferson County Superior Court and will now face a jury trial.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Justin Martinez, 21, and Mark Anthony Sepulveda, 24, were named as suspects in the Sept. 17 shooting death of Juan Carlos, of Lakewood, in the 1300 block of South Harlan Street.

The two suspects remained on the run until a month later, when they were involved in an armed robbery of a cellphone store at 14th Ave. and Krameria St. Police confronted the duo as they fled the scene.

Sepulveda was shot and killed by police as he attempted to carjack a vehicle in the store parking lot.

Martinez was arrested a short distance from the store.

He was arraigned on July 2 on 17 charges, including felony murder and murder after deliberation.

Martinez’s other charges include theft, weapon possession, violent crime, violent crime causing death, and armed robbery. The felony murder charge carries a potential life sentence.

First Judicial District Judge Tamara Russell presided over the arraignment. She instructed Martinez, who remains in Jeffco County Jail custody, and his attorneys that they had a few months to make motions and to consider a plea bargain.

Martinez shook his head, indicating he would not do so.

“If not, we’ll begin trial on Dec. 4,” Russell said.

The judge said the trial would be scheduled for a week or more.