California IN BRIEF : SANTA ROSA : Man Pleads Not Guilty in Klaas Case

The man accused of kidnaping and murdering Polly Klaas last year pleaded not guilty Wednesday, and plans to challenge the special circumstances that could lead to the death penalty. A lawyer for Richard Allen Davis, 39, also said he is conducting a survey that he expects will lead to a motion to move the trial out of Sonoma County, where the 12-year-old victim lived. Davis entered not guilty pleas to 12 charges ranging from murder and sexual assault to stealing a nightgown. Public Defender Barry Collins said he plans to challenge for lack of evidence at least three charges that would constitute the special circumstances necessary to sentence Allen to death. Those include lying in wait, sexual battery and the nightgown robbery. Prosecutors said the garment found on Polly’s body was taken from one of the other girls attending her slumber party.

Polly was abducted at knifepoint Oct. 1 from her home in Petaluma, touching off an extensive search that ended after Davis’ arrest Nov. 30. Her body was found Dec. 4 by the side of U.S. 101 in Cloverdale.