A police officer and retired detective facing second-degree murder charges in the on-duty shooting of an Albuquerque homeless man have pleaded not guilty in a New Mexico court.
Officer Dominique Perez and now-retired Detective Keith Sandy entered their pleas at a hearing Friday.
A judge ruled last month that there was probable cause for their case to go to trial. The decision followed a preliminary hearing in which Special Prosecutor Randi McGinn argued evidence that James Boyd was shot in the side and back indicated he posed no threat to officers when he was killed.
The 2014 shooting prompted protest in New Mexico's largest city, and led to reforms within the Albuquerque Police Department.
Defense attorneys say the officers shot Boyd because he posed a danger and had threatened officers.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.