PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man has pleaded not guilty to murder charges stemming from a shooting more than a month ago near Quest Charter Middle School.
Erick Jackson, 18, made the plea in Peoria County Court Thursday, where he also entered a not guilty plea to a count of Aggravated Battery.
Jackson is charged in the shooting death of Merian Smith, 15, and in the injury of another person at the scene November 7th.
It’s been suggested there may have been more than one weapon used in the shooting, leaving possible Jackson wasn’t the only alleged gunman.
Jackson is scheduled to be back in court January 11th, with a trial as soon as January 17th.
