Porter teenager pleads 'Not guilty' in stabbing death of classmate

A Porter teenager accused of stabbing and killing a classmate on a school bus, pleaded "not guilty" to first degree murder charges Monday. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Tami Marler was in the courtroom Monday

Monday, July 12th 2004, 10:26 am

By: News On 6

A Porter teenager accused of stabbing and killing a classmate on a school bus, pleaded "not guilty" to first degree murder charges Monday.

News on 6 anchor Tami Marler was in the courtroom Monday and says this was the first appearance Daniel Dillingham made in juvenile court, after he was certified as a youthful offender last week.

Andy Robinson's family was outraged when an appeals court overturned a previous decision to try Dillingham as an adult, because it means the "most" he could be sentenced to, is 10 years in a state penitentiary. He's accused of stabbing 16-year-old Robinson to death, as they rode the bus to school. If convicted as a youthful offender, Dillingham could be released in about three years, as long as he completes a psychiatric treatment plan.

Robinson's family says their son's alleged killer can't be rehabilitated. Dillingham's family has said they grieve for the victim's family and for their son.

Dillinghamâ€™s attorney Dennis Shook: â€œThey wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize their son's case. They don't want to do anything that would be perceived as disrespectful to the victim's family. So, they have many concerns."

Dillingham remains in the Wagoner County jail, away from adult inmates. His attorney says he is taking medication for depression and psychosis.

The Wagoner County District Attorney has 30 days to decide whether he'll seek prison time for Dillingham.