Cherokee, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) –Richard Hammond, 66, of Cherokee, has entered a not guilty plea to a charge of first-degree murder.

The charge stems from an incident on April 21 east of Cherokee, where Hammond is accused of intentionally running over and killing 47-year-old Christopher Wheeler of Sutherland with a vehicle.

Despite the state attorney’s request for a premeditated murder charge and higher bail, the judge denied these motions, and Hammond was released from the Cherokee County Jail on a $100,000 bond after his arrest.

Hammond has waived his right to a speedy trial, and future court dates are pending. A conviction for first-degree murder in Iowa carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.