Good Friday shooting spree suspects Jacob England, Alvin Watts arraigned; not guilty pleas entered

TULSA - The two men charged in the Good Friday shooting spree have pleaded not guilty.

Wednesday, a judge entered the pleas for Jacob England and Alvin Watts, who both face three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill and five counts of malicious intent and harassment.

The men are accused of killing three people and injuring two others April 6, 2012.

All of the victims were black, leading prosecutors to charge them with Oklahoma's equivalent of hate crimes.

His attorney says they will do so after filing a motion that he be tried separately than England.

Following the arraignment, defense attorneys for England and Watts immediately filed motions to quash the charges, saying there's not enough evidence to go to trial.

The state is seeking the death penalty.

Attorneys for both sides say the case will be looked at methodically and they expect a lot of motions will be filed, but the assistant district attorney hopes to have a trial this year.

Both men are due back in court in late February.