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By Jessica Bieler, Associated PressAssociated PressWASHINGTON (AP) A U.S. judge in a Southern California courtroom said Wednesday that a former police officer who was charged with murder over the death of a man accused of stealing $40,000 worth of drugs from a grocery store has pleaded not guilty.

John D’Agostino, 51, is accused of fatally shooting John D’Angelo, 45, at the store in San Fernando in June 2015.

A prosecutor told the court the former officer has admitted to shooting the man multiple times, but has not explained why.

Prosecutors allege D’Angeles motive for killing D’angelo was robbery, saying D’Anglois attempted to steal from the store.

D’Angelo was shot four times.

He died at a hospital shortly after his body was found.

The prosecution has said D’ Angelo was stabbed more than 50 times and that the police officer fired more than 30 times.

The judge presiding over the case is Donald E. Borkenwanger Jr., who previously oversaw a separate murder case against the Los Angeles Police Department.

The Associated Press can’t independently confirm the authenticity of this report.