East Hartford man pleads not guilty in triple slaying

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A man accused of killing his 74-year-old mother and two others in East Hartford has pleaded not guilty in Hartford Superior Court.

The Hartford Courant reports that 48-year-old Brett Bednarz waived a preliminary hearing on Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas to three counts of murder, as well as first-degree burglary, home invasion and capital felony. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of release.

Bednarz is jailed in lieu of $3 million bail. He is due back in court Feb. 13.

His mother, Beverly Therrien, and two people staying with her, were beaten to death on Thanksgiving Day 2010. Detectives worked for two years to build their case against Bednarz, who was charged on Oct. 15. He has been in custody since then.

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Information from: The Hartford Courant