Man Arrested In Oklahoma Pleads Not Guilty To 1973 California Killings

A 65-year-old man arrested in Oklahoma who is accused of killing two girls in California in 1973 has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

Yuba County Deputy District Attorney John Vacek says Larry Don Patterson remains jailed following his arraignment this week.

Patterson was returned to California over the weekend after he declined to fight extradition from Creek County.

A law enforcement task force arrested Patterson in Oakhurst. Patterson's cousin, 65-year-old William Lloyd Harbour, was arrested in California and pleaded not guilty last week.

9/13/2016 Related Story: California Double Rape, Murder Suspect Arrested In Creek County

Both men face murder charges in the shotgun slayings of 12-year-old Valerie Janice Lane and 13-year-old Doris Karen Derryberry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.