Robert Aaron Long, who allegedly killed eight people, including six Asian women, at Atlanta-area spas, has pleaded not guilty to four of the murders, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
In July, Long pleaded guilty in Cherokee County court to four counts of murder for killing four women at Young’s Asian Massage. He now faces four counts of murder in addition to charges of aggravated assault and domestic terrorism in Fulton County, The Daily Beast reports. Prosecutors are also pursuing hate crime charges and the death penalty if Long is convicted.
Long is facing four counts of murder for the deaths of Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, and Yong Ae Yue at Gold Spa and Aromatherapy Spa.
Long entered his not guilty plea in court on Tuesday. According toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the process lasted 5 minutes as families of the victims looked on.
Investigators say Long was a frequent customer at all three spas. He decided to embark on a shooting spree at the spas in order to eliminate sexual temptation,The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
BJay Pak, an attorney representing two of the victims’ families, says the trial may be a long, emotional process, but his clients want to see justice served.
“As the case goes along, it takes an emotional toll on all the families,” Pak, said outside the courtroom, according toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “And in a death penalty case, this could last a long, long time. But as it stands now, my clients want to see him prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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