(Spencer)– A Spencer man has pleaded not guilty to a first degree murder charge.
21-year-old Chris Fitzpatrick entered the plea recently in Clay County District Court.
Fitzpatrick was initially charged with willful injury in connection with the August 28th beating of 59-year-old Edward Kitto of Ruthven. The charge was upgraded after Kitto passed away September 8th.
Fitzpatrick has also waived his right to a speedy trial.
Kitto was found unresponsive in a back yard in the 500 block of East 3rd Street in Spencer. He never regained consciousness.
Trial for Fitzpatrick is set for December 11th.
He remains in the Clay county jail on a $250,000 cash or surety bond.
