Wilkinson Enters Not Guilty Plea in Central City Shooting

Martin Wilkinson, 63, pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of a Cedar Rapids man last month.

Wilkinson entered the not guilty plea on Thursday, despite a police complaint alleging that he not only told police that he shot the victim, Gregory O'Hare, 47, but later made a statement to police when Wilkinson was taken to the hospital, saying, "It just got out of hand." 

He was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.

His trial date is set for Nov. 26 in Linn County District Court.

Emergency responders originally found O'Hare lying dead, face down in the road, at around 8:39 a.m. Aug. 23, in an area known as Muckersville in Central City.

Sheriff's deputies later went to Wilkinson's Central City home, which was nearby. They tried to negotiate with Wilkinson, but when it became clear he was not coming out, they blocked off the perimeter, according to the Gazette.

Officers used tear gas to get him out of his home, and then used a Taser to take him into custody, Linn County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. When searching his home, they found the gun used in the shooting, a 9mm Astra. 

He's been charged with with first-degree murder and possession of firearms by a felon and is currently in Linn County Jail