Skip to main content

A man who allegedly opened fire in a crowded Cincinnati nightclub has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges and three dozen other charges.

A Hamilton County judge on Monday ordered 27-year-old Cornell Beckley to remain held on $1.7 million bond. He was initially arrested by police on a murder charge in the March 26 gun battle, and a grand jury last week added charges including involuntary manslaughter, inducing panic, and felonious assault.

Beckley's attorney has blamed the charges against him on public outcry and politics.

A pretrial hearing was set for April 21, with a tentative trial date of May 30.

Authorities say a dispute apparently between groups from two Cincinnati neighbourhoods escalated into violence while some 200 people were in the Cameo club. Two died, 15 others were injured.

This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.

Interact with The Globe