Suspect in Green River Serial Slayings Enters Not Guilty Plea
Gary Leon Ridgway pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he murdered four women nearly two decades ago in the Green River serial killings.
Ridgway’s attorney, Tony Savage, entered the pleas during a brief arraignment in King County Superior Court.
Ridgway, 52, of Auburn, Wash., did not speak to the judge during the 10-minute appearance.
He is charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the deaths of Marcia Chapman, Cynthia Hinds, Opal Mills and Carol Christensen. His next court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 2 to allow lawyers to work out a schedule for the proceedings.
Prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek the death penalty, but Ridgway’s attorneys say they’re preparing for a capital case.
The Green River case covers at least 49 women who were killed from 1982 to 1984. The first victims were found in or near the Green River in Kent.
Ridgway was arrested Nov. 30. He is being held without bail in King County Jail.
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