Two men charged in connection with a fatal stabbing at the Plaza Tavern earlier this month pleaded not guilty to the charges at a preliminary hearing in court Tuesday.
Justin Stout, 31, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide after a dispute outside the Plaza Sept. 3 resulted in the death of 22-year-old Juan Bernal. Travis Knapp, 34, who was with Stout the night of the stabbing, is charged with aiding a felon and felony bail jumping.
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Fiedler heard eyewitness testimony from Bernal's friend Yarnell Fuller, who said he saw Bernal put Stout in a headlock and punch him prior to the stabbing. Based on the testimony, Fiedler determined there was sufficient evidence to send the case to trial.
Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard said the case would now be turned over to Judge David Flanagan for further proceedings, including the scheduling of a trial date.
