LOS ANGELES - A convicted drug dealer has pleaded not guilty to killing a 20th Century Fox executive whose remains were found in the Southern California desert 2 1/2 years after he vanished.
City News Service reports John Creech entered the plea to a murder charge on Thursday.
He could face 25 years to life if convicted.
Creech is charged with killing 57-year-old Gavin Smith, who disappeared in Ventura County in 2012.
Hikers found his remains 70 miles away in the Antelope Valley last October.
A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that Smith had a relationship with Creech's wife after meeting her in drug rehabilitation.
Creech is serving an eight-year sentence behind bars on a drug charge.
His attorney, Alex Kessel, says the men fought and Smith acted in self-defence.
Sapa-AP