A New York man charged in three murders here in South Dakota pleaded not guilty

Rapid City – He pleaded not guilty before Seventh Circuit Court Judge Robert Gusinsky. His name is Arnson Absolu, 36-year-old, and he is accused of killing 29-year-old Ashley Nagy, 26-year-old Charles Red Willow and 22-year-old Dakota Zaiser.

The attorney who is representing Absolu, requested state attorneys to decide whether they will pursue the death penalty within a 45-day time frame. The judge granted the request, giving the state until March 30th to make a decision.

If prosecutors decide not to pursue the death penalty, Absolu could face life in prison and a $50,000 fine for each murder count.

The judge also signed a no-contact order against the New York man, barring him from speaking to family members of the victims and witnesses associated with the case.