Clockwise, from upper left: Jose Alberto Torres, Josh Chavez, Ashley Chavez, Angela Kaps-Collins, Billy Collins and Christopher Rhea.PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Five suspects accused of helping in a suspected cover-up attempt in the hit-and-run death of Nancy Schoeffler were arraigned in a Portland courtroom Thursday.
All five pleaded not guilty. The sixth, and prime suspect, Ashley Chavez, had already pleaded not guilty to her respective charges a day earlier.
Portland police said Chavez was behind the wheel when she crashed into Schoeffler back on March 31. She is accused of driving off, leaving Schoeffler to die.
After a two-month investigation, police arrested Chavez's passenger, Angela Kaps-Collins late last month. Detectives then took Chavez into custody, and made an additional four arrests, all of whom are accused of trying to hide evidence of the hit-and-run.
Solara Schoeffler, the victim's daughter, told FOX 12 on Wednesday that she still can't believe it.
"To think all of these people who are helping cover it up, and they couldn't own up to it, it seems like they have no remorse," she said.
In addition to Kaps-Collins, the following people also face charges of hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence: Josh Chavez, who is Ashley Chavez's brother and is being held on $230,000 bail; Christopher Rhea, who is Ashley Chavez's boyfriend, who is being held on $10,000 bail; Jose Alberto Torres, who is Ashley Chavez's co-worker, who is being held on $7,500 bail; and Billy Collins, who is Kaps-Collins' husband, who is being held on $22,000 bail.
All of the suspects' next court appearance is scheduled for July 25.
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