Randall pleads not guilty in murder of La Crosse Central High School student

Randall attorney waived today’s evidence hearing

Deshawn Randall could be tried early next year for the fatal shooting of a high school student on Redfield Street in La Crosse.

Randall, 18, pled ‘not guilty’ today to murder and other charges, resulting from the August shooting of 17-year-old Central High School student, George Miller.

Defense attorney Michael Covey explains why he and Randall agreed to waive today’s evidence hearing: “Generally the witnesses don’t go up and testify. A lot of hearsay is used. It’s a very low burden of proof for the state. So, we’re not really giving up a whole lot by waiving this hearing. My view it’s going to help us get the police reports a lot faster.”

In court, Judge Ramona Gonzalez asked Randall if he was satisfied with his attorney, and Randall said yes.  Gonzalez is the fifth judge in a month to preside over a hearing for Randall.

The accused fired his first public defender.  This was Covey’s first appearance in court after agreeing to represent Randall, who claims Miller threatened him with a gun days before the murder.