Trial Date Set For Hells Angel Killing At NV Casino

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A judge in Reno has entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the man accused of killing the president of the San Jose chapter of the Hells Angels during a casino shootout in September.

Washoe District Judge Connie Steinheimer entered the plea for Ernesto Gonzalez after his public defender advised he stand silent during his arraignment Thursday in a tightly guarded courtroom.

Police say Gonzalez is a member of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang who shot Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew four times in the back during the brawl at a Sparks casino.

The judge set a trial for Jan. 17 but said that might change after public defenders complained they still don't have access to the transcript from the grand jury that indicted Gonzalez and two others on Nov. 9.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.