A former Minnesota State University Moorhead basketball player pleaded not guilty Thursday to murdering a Fargo man.
Deandre A. Buchanan, 22, is charged with Class AA felony murder in the shooting death last month of 24-year-old Jeremy J. Cook. The maximum penalty is life in prison without parole.
Buchanan, who listed his address at 909 10th St. S., Moorhead, remains in the Cass County Jail on $500,000 bail. East Central District Court Judge Douglas Herman rejected attorney Dennis Fischer's request Thursday to lower Buchanan's bail.
"He has absolutely no way to make that," Fischer said.
Assistant State's Attorney Leah Viste argued that bail should remain the same because Buchanan has ties to other areas of the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
Afterward, Viste said anyone facing severe charges could be considered a flight risk.
Buchanan is accused of shooting Cook at Cook's apartment at 821 10th St. N. A court document says the two men were playing dice when they started to argue.
A witness who was sleeping in the apartment woke up and heard the two argue over a gun and then fight. She came out of the bedroom and saw Buchanan shoot Cook in the chest, according to the document.
