Teen pleads innocent in Arkansas girl's death

BLYTHEVILLE — An Arkansas teenager accused of killing an 11-year-old girl has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder.

Seventeen-year-old Christopher Sowell pleaded innocent to the charge on Thursday. He's due back in court on Oct. 14, and his trial is set to begin on Nov. 12.

Sowell is accused of killing 11-year-old Jessica Williams. Authorities found the girl's body in a ditch near Gosnell last month.

Sowell was previously ordered to be held in jail on $2 million cash bond.

A Mississippi County Sheriff's Department document says Sowell has acknowledged killing Jessica. That document says Sowell said he choked Jessica and pushed her over the side of a bridge.

Sowell's attorney, John Bradley, and prosecutor Scott Ellington declined to comment because a judge has issued a gag order in the case.

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