A 16-year-old accused of murder will stand trial on March 5. Jesus Martinez stood mute at his formal arraignment in Lincoln County District Court today. District Judge James Doyle entered a plea of not guilty on Martinez’s behalf, according to Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling.

Martinez is one of two 16-year-olds accused of murdering a North Platte man in Centennial Park last September. He and former NPHS student, Braden Turner, are charged with first degree murder, and use of a firearm to commit a felony said Harling.

If found guilty Martinez and Turner could each face concurrent prison sentences, starting with 40 years to life for the felony murder charge, and an additional 20 years for the use of a firearm to commit a felony. However, Turner and Martinez have the right to request their case to be moved to juvenile court.

Martinez’s jury trial has been set for March 5.