Suspect in child's death enters not-guilty plea

first-degree murder entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment in district court Tuesday morning.

Richard R. Laubach, 20, stands accused of inflicting injuries that led to the death of Joseph "Joey" Graham III earlier this year.

His trial is currently scheduled for Jan. 7. Meanwhile, county prosecutor Tina Schindele has 60 days from Tuesday's hearing to determine whether she will seek the death penalty in the case.

If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole. In addition to the death penalty, he could also be sentenced to life in prison.

Laubach stands accused of assaulting the 22-month-old child at the family's residence the afternoon of March 12 with the intention of inflicting violence or great bodily harm. The child died the following morning at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Laubach, an airman stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, remains in custody at the Elmore County jail after a judge ordered that he remain in custody without bond.