Not guilty plea from woman accused in death of man

A woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder in the death of a Solana Beach man who cofounded the education and research nonprofit Butterf ly Farms.

Jade Sasha Janks, 37, is charged with murder in the death of Thomas Merriman, and an allegation that the killing was premeditated, according to the complaint prosecutors have filed in the case.

Family and friends said Janks was Merriman’s former stepdaughter.

No new information in the case were revealed during her brief arraignment in Vista Superior Court. However, she is due back in court Jan. 27 for a hearing to ask a judge to set bail, and more detail could come to light at that time. Janks has been held without bail since her arrest Jan. 2.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities believe Merriman died on Dec. 31 in the residence on Nardo Avenue, off Lomas Santa Fe Drive west of Interstate 5.

The following day, Jan. 1, deputies went to the home to check on his welfare, sheriff ’s homicide Lt. Thomas Seiver said. Homicide detectives obtained a search warrant and went into the home, where they found Merriman’s body.

Janks was arrested the next day.