5 PLEAD NOT GUILTY IN DEATHS OF 7 IN '95; TWO MORE SOUGHT IN ASIAN GANG CASE.

Byline: Stacy Finz Daily News Staff Writer

Five men, who police say led a Southeast Asian gang in terrorizing the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to indictments for seven killings.

Police said the prosecution of these men, the result of a yearlong investigation, has practically put the ``Asian Boys'' gang out of business, although two more accused gang members remain on the run.

``We've taken out some of the major players, and the Valley-based faction of the gang has almost been eliminated,'' said Los Angeles police Detective Mel Arnold, while standing outside the Van Nuys courtroom where the men were arraigned.

Police still are seeking Sothi Menh, 22, and Marvin Mercado, 23, in connection with the shootings.

``This is just the start of a major homicide prosecution and it's far from finished,'' Arnold said. ``We anticipate bringing this to a speedy conclusion.''

Bunthoeun Roeung, 20, David Evangalista, 22, Roatha Buth, 24, Ky Ngo, 21, and Son Bui, 20, each pleaded not guilty to multiple counts including murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges stem from six shootings that took the lives of seven people in the spring and summer of 1995.

With the exception of Ngo, all the men have been accused with the special circumstance of committing multiple murders or murder by ambush.

If convicted on the charges with the special allegations, the four men would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Under the law, however, prosecutors could seek death.

That determination will be made at a latter time, when a special panel from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office considers the facts of the case.

Ngo, charged with one count of murder, faces more than 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Ngo's attorney, Arlene Binder, said her client denies any affiliation with the gang and maintains he did not take part in any of the crimes. Attorneys for some of the other defendants said they were too new to the case to comment.

Authorities believe the ``Asian Boys'' gang has more than 300 members in California, typically preys on other Southeast Asians and specializes in extorting business owners, well-planned home-invasion robberies and burglaries.

Their crimes differ from most street gangs in that they're cleverly planned and methodical, Arnold said. Many of the members attended college or pose as legitimate businessmen.

Only their penchant for drive-by shootings mirrors those of other gangs, which some suggest was their downfall.

The defendants are accused of taking part in the killings between April to September 1995 in the valleys. Seven people - some gang members and others innocent drivers and passengers - died in the shootings.

In March 1996 the Los Angeles Police Department formed a task force to investigate the deaths. The team, consisting of detectives, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies, Long Beach police officers and FBI agents, worked for more than a year to solve the slayings. In addition, numerous gang members, not involved in the shootings, have been arrested and charged for other crimes, according to police.