Teen Pleads Not Guilty To Fatal Jockey Lot Shooting

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Lafayette teenager indicted in the death of an Arnaudville man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

The Advocate reports the 15-year-old entered his plea Tuesday in the Feb. 2 shooting death of 49-year-old Michael Patin, an employee of the Jockey Lot, a flea market, near Carencro.

Although the teen is charged with first-degree murder and will be tried as an adult, it is not a case in which he could be sentenced to death if he's convicted.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2005 ruled states could not put to death an offender found guilty of murder that occurred prior to the offender turning 18 years of age.

District Attorney Michael Harson said Tuesday be believes the trial could take place within a relatively short period.