Man Pleads Not Guilty In Seattle Hatchet Killings

SEATTLE (AP) - A man accused of killing two men in unprovoked attacks with a hatchet on Seattle streets pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder charges in King County Superior Court.

Prosecutors say Michael LaRosa was arraigned after a judge found him competent to stand trial. He was evaluated at Western State Hospital after his arrest.

The 26-year-old LaRosa is accused of fatally injuring 66-year-old Richard Dale Holme on Nov. 21 in Seattle. Holme was found with traumatic head wounds and died five days later.

LaRosa also is accused of killing 58-year-old Joseph LaMagno with the same hatchet the next day as LaMagno was walking home with groceries.