Murder suspect in Kayla Ferrante case pleads not guilty; trial date set

The man accused of murdering a Tulsa teenager a day after her graduation pleaded not guilty Monday.

Edwin Daniels , 24, entered the plea around 10:15 a.m. Three hours later, a jury trial date of April 8, 2013 was set.

Daniels' next court appearance is slated for March 4, 2013.

Daniels faces charges of first-degree murder and shooting with intent to kill. He is the primary suspect in the death of 17-year-old Kayla Ferrante, shot to death with a semi-automatic rifle while in her boyfriend's car in May.

According to a police report, a witness told investigators that Daniels had admitted to shooting Ferrante with an AK-47 rifle, mistaking the vehicle for a rival gang members.

The witness also pointed police to the weapon, found in a hole in the back yard of Daniels' aunt's home.

Police say Daniels was arrested after committing up to six home invasions. Investigators linked the crimes together after Daniels used the victim's ATM card.