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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 4:56 p.m., Monday, September 17, 2007

CFB: Montana player pleads not guilty to murder

Associated Press

LANCASTER, Calif. — Suspended University of Montana cornerback Jimmy Wilson pleaded not guilty today to a murder charge stemming from the shooting death of his aunt's 29-year-old boyfriend.

Wilson is charged in the June 3 shooting death of Kevin I. Smoot in Lancaster, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The player also faces a special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a rifle.

Wilson's aunt and Smoot had been fighting the night Smoot was shot, authorities said.

Wilson, of Pasadena, remained in custody in a Los Angeles jail on $2 million bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again for a pretrial hearing on Sept. 27.

Wilson surrendered to California authorities on June 12 and was suspended from the Montana football team a few days later.