A 20-year-old man accused of killing his friend and dumping the victim's body in a canyon pleaded not guilty today, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Phillip Von Wade (dob 3/15/96) of West Covina was charged this morning with one count of murder in case KA113465. The felony complaint includes a special allegation that the defendant personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, an ax, during the commission of the crime.

At today's arraignment, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Salvatore Sirna set Wade's bail at $2.02 million.

Deputy District Attorney Marie Cox, who is assigned to the case, said the defendant and victim Rahkeem Reyes, 27, were friends.

On Sept. 5, Wade allegedly bludgeoned Reyes with an ax at a West Covina residence, the prosecutor said. Wade then allegedly dumped the victim's body in Azusa Canyon, where it was discovered by detectives five days later, the prosecutor added.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 17 for a preliminary hearing setting in Department N at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pomona Branch.

If convicted as charged, Wade faces a maximum possible sentence of 26 years to life in state prison.

The case is being investigated by the West Covina Police Department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case KA113465 / September 12, 2016