An 18-year-old man accused of killing a retired principal who was trying to break up an underage party pleaded not guilty today to second-degree murder.

In a hearing before Superior Court Judge Annette Plese, Treven Lewis was given a pre-trial conference date of May 11 and a trial date of May 21, although the case is expected to take many more months to resolve.

Lewis was ordered to remain in jail on $500,000 bond. He's been in custody since March 12, two days after he's accused of punching Frank J. Motta as Motta tried to clear out an underage drinking party at his out-of-town neighbor's request.

Motta, a patients advocate at the Spokane veterans hospital, died later that week.

Read more about Lewis' background here.

Past coverage:

March 16: VA hospital grieving after beaten employee dies

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