Seattle teen pleads not guilty in murder over phone
Mar 17, 2014, 11:21 AM | Updated: 11:36 am
Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot in the area of North 85th Street and 1st Avenue Northwest around 8:30 p.m. (Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)
(Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)
The 17-year-old accused of killing a man for his cellphone in Seattle last month has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Byron White was arraigned Monday in King County Superior Court on charges of murder, attempted robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
White is accused of shooting David Peterson, 54, and taking his phone while Peterson was out for a walk in his Greenwood neighborhood.
Peterson called 911 to report that someone tried to steal his phone and the call went dead after dispatchers heard a scuffle on the other end.
Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot in the area of North 85th Street and 1st Avenue Northwest around 8:30 p.m. Officers found Peterson in the parking lot where he was pronounced dead with a single gunshot to the chest.
White is a Ballard High School senior who played football. He was arrested March 1 at Sea-Tac Airport as he tried to board a plane to Atlanta.
If convicted, he faces 27 to 35 years in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
