A Galesburg man accused of killing a local woman at a Soangetaha Road residence made a court appearance Monday and pleaded not guilty.
David L. Nicholson Klingerman Jr., 29, is charged with murdering 67-year-old Georgette Evan Rodrigues with a hammer on Oct. 26 at 30 N. Soangetaha Road.
Galesburg police responded to the home that day for a well-being check on Klingerman and discovered evidence of attempts to conceal the body outside. After obtaining and executing a search warrant, law enforcement confirmed Rodrigues was deceased on the premises.
Prosecutors have said Klingerman hid in a closet after the fatal attack and made incriminating statements during a voluntary interview.
Klingerman waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday, pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial.
He faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery to a person over 60 years of age, and concealment of a homicide. He remains in custody at the Knox County Jail.
His next appearance is a pretrial conference set for Dec. 1.
