Kirk Lankford, who is being held at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, pleaded not guilty this morning through a video hookup to the courtroom to a charge of murdering a Japanese visitor. Advertiser library photo   Masumi Watanabe, a 21-year Japanese national staying with a host family, has been missing since April 12. Her body still has not been recovered. Advertiser library photo

Kirk Lankford, who is being held on $1 million bail at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, entered the plea through a video hookup to the courtroom.

Chan scheduled Lankford's trial for the week of July 9.

Lankford is accused of murdering Masumi Watanabe, a 21-year Japanese national staying with a host family. She was last seen on her daily walk along Pupukea Road. Despite an extensive search, her body has not been recovered.

Lankford was working with a termite pest control company when Watanabe disappeared. Police say they recovered Watanabe's eyeglasses and blood matching her DNA from his company truck.