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Two Men Plead Not Guilty in Connection with Deaths of Three Kansas City Chiefs Fans
The two men arrested in connection with the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans, who were found frozen in a friend’s snowy backyard in Kansas City, Missouri, more than a year ago after an NFL watch party, pleaded not guilty.
Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson appeared separately via video from jail wearing orange jumpsuits during their arraignment in Platte County, Missouri, on Thursday at 3 p.m. local time.
Willis’ lawyer, John Picerno, entered the not guilty plea on Willis’ behalf. The judge entered the plea on behalf of Carson, who does not yet have an attorney and plans to apply for a public defender. The hearing lasted only minutes.
The pair were charged Wednesday with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance (except 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid), according to court records obtained by Fox News Digital.
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department said it investigated the three deaths for 14 months before announcing charges.
"KCPD detectives never stopped working on the case, waiting for all the facts to come in. Reaching this point is a testament to their dedication to delivering justice for the victims and their loved ones," said Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves on Wednesday.
A forensic exam determined 37-year-old David Harrington, 36-year-old Clayton McGeeney, and 38-year-old Ricky Johnson "all died of fentanyl and cocaine combined toxicity," according to court documents.
They were found dead in Willis’ rental home on January 9, 2024, after watching the Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers on January 7. Their bodies were discovered by McGeeney’s fiancée, April Mahoney, who called police.
Willis could not be reached by phone and did not answer his door in the days after the incident, according to family members who searched for the three friends who never returned home.
However, Willis told police he had no idea his friends were dead outside and that he hadn’t heard from their friends or family members.
Willis’ attorney, John Picerno, told Fox News Digital he was "surprised that Jordan was charged with the deaths of his three friends."
"That was contrary to what the prosecuting attorney’s office told me several months ago," Picerno said.
"The probable cause statement submitted by the State is consistent with what Jordan stated happened. Jordan maintains that he is not responsible for purchasing or supplying the drugs that led to the deaths of his three friends. We are very much looking forward to the day a jury gets to hear all of the evidence in this case."
Willis and Carson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, at 10:45 a.m. local time.
The Associated Press and Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
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