Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In Deadly Burglary

A third man accused in a home invasion robbery that resulted in the death of a College of the Desert athlete pleaded not guilty today to several felony charges.

Dyrenell Kardia Robinson, who appeared in court this afternoon for arraignment, faces charges of felony robbery and burglary.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas N. Douglass set bail at $500,000 at the request of the prosecution and ordered Robinson to return to court on March 9 for a felony settlement conference.

Robinson, 20, of Palm Desert was arrested Thursday on suspicion of the Feb. 23 robbery of a home on Michigan Drive in Palm Desert.

He is accused along with Frank Tanuvasa, 20, and Roman Tausanga, 22, of breaking into an apartment and fleeing from responding officers, according to Deputy Angel Ramos of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which contracts with Palm Desert for its policing services.

Tanusava, a 6-foot 6-inch former offensive lineman for College of the Desert, allegedly got into a "life or death struggle" with an officer, whose name was withheld, Ramos said.

According to sheriff's officials, Tanuvasa dislocated the deputy's shoulder when he punched him and the dragged him to the ground and tried to take his gun.

"The officer was ultimately able to maintain control of his handgun and shot Tanuvasa in self-defense, fearing for his life," the deputy said.

Tanuvasa was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center, where he died within an hour.

Robinson was arrested nearly a week following the shooting and is being held at the Indio Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Tausanga was taken into custody the night of the shooting and has to robbery and burglary charges.

Check back throughout today for updates on this case.