Couple plead not guilty in Wash. woman’s death

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The estranged husband of a slain Bellingham woman and the man’s girlfriend have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the woman’s death.

The Bellingham Herald says Keayn Dunya and Kara Buchanan were arraigned separately Friday in Whatcom County Superior Court. Trial is set for Sept. 12.

Prosecutors contend the two worked together to kill Kriston Peterman-Dunya with a shotgun blast on July 3 at her apartment.

Police say a custody battle over the Dunyas’ 7-year-old son may have prompted the killing.

Although police say Buchanan confessed to the killing in a voice mail message left on a detective’s phone and was later found with slashed wrists, prosecutors say they think Keayn Dunya pulled the trigger. Court documents say surveillance video shows him parking Buchanan’s car near the apartment and getting out with a shotgun.

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Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com