GILLETTE - Two local men entered "not guilty" pleas in District Court here Thursday for their alleged roles in the 2005 slayings of 18-year-old Jeremy Forquer and 16-year-old Bryce Chavers.

Prosecutors have about 45 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty against Kent A. Proffit Sr., 42, and Christopher R. Hicks, 19.

Prosecutors say Proffit used death threats to coerce Hicks and Jacob Martinez to carry out the killings.

Martinez, now 20, pleaded guilty last month for his roles in the killings in exchange for an agreement by prosecutors not to seek the death penalty. Martinez served as the state's main witness against Proffit earlier this month and helped convince a Circuit Court judge to bind the case over to District Court.

Twin Spruce Junior High School student Bryce Chavers went to police in July alleging he'd been sexually abused by Proffit for the previous couple of years. Prosecutors say Proffit, after he was released on bond, conspired with Hicks and Martinez to kill Chavers so he couldn't testify against him in court.

They also allege that 15-year-old Michael Frank Seiser became involved in October when Proffit directed Hicks and Martinez to strangle and beat Forquer to death while Seiser was present.

Proffit faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the Forquer killing. He faces a count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the November shooting of Chavers.

He will also stand trial on eight counts of third-degree sexual assault.

Proffit appeared before District Judge John R. Perry at 10:30 a.m. Thursday shackled and dressed in a blue jail uniform. When asked to enter pleas regarding the murder and conspiracy charges, Proffit emphasized "not" guilty.

Hicks appeared before District Judge Michael "Nick" Deegan at 4 p.m., represented by Gillette attorney Nick Carter. Hicks faces charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in both killings.

NewsTracker

* Last we knew: Three men and a 15-year-old face murder charges in the 2005 slayings of 18-year-old Jeremy Forquer and 16-year-old Bryce Chavers.

* The latest: Kent A. Proffit Sr., 42, and Christopher R. Hicks, 20, entered not guilty pleas in separate hearings in District Court Thursday.

* What's next: Prosecutors have about 45 days to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

Reporter Dustin Bleizeffer can be reached at (307) 682-3388 or dustin.bleizeffercasperstartribune.net.