West Jordan • The man accused of gunning down three people in cold blood last year told a judge Tuesday that he's not guilty of the crimes with which he's been charged.
David Fresques, against whom prosecutors will seek the death penalty, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted aggravated murder stemming from a Midvale shooting on Feb. 12, 2013.
After entering his pleas, Fresques turned briefly to look at his mother seated in the courtroom gallery.
She blew him a kiss. Hands shackled, Fresques offered a small smile and a nod in return.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced last week that his office will ask a 3rd District Court jury to consider execution if the 26-year-old is convicted of the murders of Omar Jarman, 35, Danielle Lucero, 26, and Shontay Young, 34.
Fresques was ordered to stand trial last month, following three days of testimony, in which witnesses said they heard and saw Fresques go from room to room in the home at 8286 S. Adams St. (450 West), shooting his victims.
A four-week trial was set for March 2015.
Fresques' alleged motives for the killings remain unclear, though witnesses at his preliminary hearing indicated a homicidal conclusion to what may have been a number of petty grievances. Fresques may have thought that Jarman was a snitch; and he purportedly disliked Young because she was black.
Why he allegedly shot Lucero or Vickie Myers, the lone shooting victim to survive remained a mystery when the preliminary hearing wrapped up.
The defendant's criminal record prior to the slayings included charges in 3rd District Court ranging from assault and robbery to theft by deception and forgery.
Defense attorneys declined to comment Tuesday about the county's decision to seek death in the case against their client.
mlang@sltrib.com
Twitter: @Marissa_Jae