Sonora, CA — 29 year old David Roy Stanton pleaded “not guilty” in Tuolumne County Superior Court this afternoon of murdering 29 year old Jon Steven Flaherty on Saturday, August 25th.

The San Andreas resident entered his plea by videoconference from the Tuolumne County Jail. The presiding judge was the Honorable Eric DuTemple.

Stanton´s trial date has been set for Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 8am in Department One of Tuolumne County Superior Court. His defense attorney is Sonora´s Rick Angermiller.

Stanton was arrested the day following the murder. His sister, Shawna Lea Stanton of Sonora, has been charged as an accessory after the fact. She has pleaded “not guilty” and is scheduled to be tried alongside her brother.

Flaherty´s body was discovered several days later by in Murderer´s Gulch by Tuolumne County Sheriff Department´s deputies.

According to the District Attorney´s office both Stantons have already served prison terms.

Written by Bill Johnson