Woman Pleads Not Guilty in McDonald's Shooting

Police interview witnesses outside the McDonald's restaurant where Joseph Hennings was shot to death Oct. 9. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

A woman accused of murdering the father of her child at a McDonald's restaurant in Menifee last month entered a plea of not guilty during her arraignment on Tuesday.

Amanda Harwood, 35, of Big Bear was arrested Oct. 9 in connection with the death of Joseph Henning, 39, a resident of Murrieta. Hennings was shot to death inside the McDonald's in the 28000 block of Bradley Road and Harwood was taken into custody at the scene.

Henning was the father of three children -- one with Harwood. The couple was reportedly meeting at the restaurant for a custody exchange when the shooting occurred.

Following the not guilty plea entered during her arraignment at the Southwest Justice Center, Harwood was scheduled for a felony settlement conference on Jan. 13, said John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. She is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

Harwood is charged with first-degree murder with a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. In addition, she faces gun and great bodily injury allegations that could increase the sentence.

Joseph Henning is pictured with his three children in a photo posted on a gofundme.com page.