APPLETON, Wis. — A teenager charged in a fatal shooting at the Fox River Mall in January pleaded not guilty. The plea from Dezman Ellis, 17, was during an arraignment on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless endangerment of safety. Ellis asked the judge that the trial be moved out if the area to assure him a fair jury. The shooting, on a Sunday at the busy mall, was covered extensively by northeast Wisconsin news media, as was the subsequent manhunt that led to Ellis;’ arrest in Iowa. The judge said he would address the change of venue motion at a hearing May 10. Meanwhile, Ellis was continued being held in lieu of $1.5 million bond.
Ellis. Claims news coverage precludes a fair trial in Appleton area.