Fayette man charged in shooting death of teenage son pleads not guilty, asks for new judge

FAYETTE, Mo. (KMIZ)

A father charged with manslaughter after his 15-year-old died from a gunshot wound has entered a not guilty plea and asked for a new judge according to court records.

Eddie M. Valencia faces a single charge of first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the Feb. 20 shooting.

Valencia's probable cause statement said he was checking one of his firearms, a Remington Model 700 .308, by "dry firing" it. Valencia allegedly told Fayette police that he pointed the gun at his son and it went off.

On Friday, Valencia's lawyer Brad Wooldridge filed a motion to request a new judge from the Missouri Supreme Court and on Monday it was sustained.

In early March 14th Circuit Judge Mason Gebhardt recused himself from the case and Circuit Judge James Cooksey was originally assigned to further court hearings.