Ex-detective rejects plea deal

Former Philadelphia homicide detective Ron Dove has rejected a prosecution guilty-plea deal and will go to trial Feb. 17 on obstruction of justice charges for trying to cover up a killing allegedly committed by his girlfriend Erica Sánchez, 34.

Dove, 43, well-tanned and wearing a full beard, appeared briefly in court Tuesday before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn H. Nichols with attorney Brian J. McMonagle, who confirmed that Dove wished to go to trial on the charges.

Sánchez was arrested Oct. 16, 2013 after several weeks as a fugitive for the stabbing death that Sept. 8 of Cesar Vera, 33, with whom she lived.

Dove, who police say was having an affair with Sánchez, quickly came under suspicion and was fired in November 2013. In January, Dove was charged with hindering apprehension, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and related crimes for allegedly helping Sánchez flee to Rochester, N.Y.

Sanchez, meanwhile, is scheduled to go on trial for Vera's slaying on Nov. 10 before Judge Lillian Ransom.