Sidney man enters not guilty pleas in fatal shooting

A Sidney man charged with first degree murder in the fatal shooting July 15th of a Sidney woman has entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment Tuesday in Cheyenne County District Court.

53 year old Larry Martinez of Sidney also entered a not guilty plea to use of a firearm to commit a felony. A hearing on expected suppression motions by the defense is scheduled October 3rd.

Martinez is suspected of shooting 30-year-old Mandy Kershman of Sidney on Wednesday. Court documents say Martinez told investigators he shot Kershman because of a text message from her that made him mad.

The document says Kershman was shot at the home of a friend, Leland Blake, who was in an office in the house when Kershman let Martinez in and the shooting took place. Martinez was arrested a short time later north of Sidney on Highway 85.

Blake, who is now in jail for alleged drug violation, said he heard the suspect shout an obscenity at the victim, heard the shot and saw a man he identified only as ``Larry'' drive away.

© 2013 Rural Radio Network. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information