BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 22-year-old man has pleaded not guilty in a Montana court to the fatal strangulation of a Laurel woman.
The Billings Gazette reports that Diego Hernandez, of Laurel, entered the plea to a deliberate homicide charge during an arraignment Thursday in Yellowstone County District Court. He remains in custody in the county jail on bond of $500,000.
Police say 57-year-old Lori Bray was last seen leaving her workplace around 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 1. Her unclothed body was found in a wooded area outside of Laurel on Oct. 2.
At his initial appearance in October, Hernandez indicated he would hire Billings attorney Jack Sands. The case has been assigned to District Judge Michael Moses.
Senior Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ed Zink is prosecuting the case.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com
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