Ex-Boyfriend Arraigned In Killing Of Belmont Park Worker

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A man charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death as she tended to horses at Belmont Park racetrack on New York's Long Island has been arraigned at a hospital where he's receiving psychiatric treatment.

Jose Franco-Martinez pleaded not guilty Thursday to a murder charge in the June 17 death of horse walker Maria Larin.

A judge ordered the 54-year-old held without bail.

Prosecutors say Franco-Martinez was mad Larin dumped him and repeatedly stabbed the 51-year-old with a kitchen knife.

They say one of Larin's co-workers tried to stop Franco-Martinez by hitting him in the head, but he ran away.

Track security caught him and called police.

Prosecutors say Franco-Martinez, a former Belmont worker, was working in Kansas and had someone drive him to New York, about an 18-hour drive.