PINE RIVER MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY

The 19-year old Pine River man accused of killing a 15-year old girl in Backus in August remains in custody in the Cass County Jail. Matthew Michael Martin pleaded not guilty to killing Molly Jean Rice earlier this month. A grand jury indicted him on five first degree murder charges as well as second-degree murder, burglary and criminal sexual conduct. Cass County Judge John P. Smith set his next hearing date for December 10th. Court documents charge Martin stabbed and shot Rice after a party near Pine Mountain Lake Road in Backus on August Fourth.