Primghar, IA (KICD)– A Rock Rapids man accused of killing his mother in Sheldon last month has plead not guilty to first degree murder.

41-year-old Nathaniel Kassel entered the written plea as part of an arraignment hearing Monday morning in O’Brien County District Court.

Kassel was arrested March 24th in South Dakota, the day after 62-year-old Jody Duskin was found dead in her Sheldon home by another family member.

Kassel was additionally charged with possession of a firearm as a felon and operating a vehicle without owner’s consent, but online court records show those charges have been dismissed. His murder trial is currently scheduled to begin in June.