Pennsylvania teenager pleads not guilty to killing the parents of his girlfriend

An Pennsylvania teen pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal homicide for the shooting deaths of his girlfriend's parents a case that sparked a national manhunt when he fled the state with the 14-year-old girl. David Ludwig, 18, also waived his right to an arraignment, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, according to papers filed late Tuesday.

Ludwig is accused of gunning down Michael and Cathryn Borden inside their Lititz home on Nov. 13 after they ordered him to stop seeing their daughter, Kara Beth. He could get the death penalty if convicted.

The girl, who was not charged, fled the state with Ludwig after the shooting. She was with him when he was captured in Indiana the following day after he crashed while being chased by police.

Authorities have said Ludwig admitted to the killings. He allegedly told detectives that he and Kara, both of whom were home-schooled, wanted to "get as far away as possible" and get married, but that she wasn't involved in the killings.

Ludwig also pleaded not guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment. Merrill Spahn, who is part of a court-appointed defense team, said Ludwig also will plead not guilty to statutory sexual assault and carrying a handgun without a permit additional charges that were filed in December.

Ludwig's trial is scheduled to begin September 5, reports the AP.

D.M.