The man charged in the largest mass shooting in Orange County history pleaded not guilty Wednesday to eight counts of murder a day after a grand jury indictment was handed down in an attempt to speed the legal process.
Seal Beach Massacre: Full Coverage
The indictment against Scott Evans Dekraai allows prosecutors to avoid a preliminary hearing.
"The defense indicated they wouldn't be ready for a preliminary hearing until the fall, and we didn't want to wait that long,'' said Deputy District Attorney Dan Wagner.
A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Jan. 27.
The 42-year-old Huntington Beach man is accused of opening fire in a Seal Beach salon Oct. 12 and killing eight people, including his ex-wife. Also killed in the shooting were the salon's owner, Randy Lee Fannin, 62; Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54; Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65; Laura Lee Elody, 46; Christy Lynn Wilson, 47; Michele Daschbach Fast, 47, and David Caouette, 64.
Hattie Stretz, 73, was also shot, but survived.
Dekraai was taken into custody a few blocks from the salon. He has been held without bail.
Dekraai was indicted on eight counts of murder with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He was also indicted on attempted murder.
He pleaded not guilty in November at an earlier arraignment after initial charges were filed.
Follow NBCLA for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @NBCLA // Facebook: NBCLA
