Six Plead Not Guilty To Cockfighting Charges

WALTERS, Okla. (AP) Six people have pleaded not guilty to felony cockfighting charges that could carry up to 10 years in state prison.<br/> <br/>The defendants also waived their rights to a preliminary

Saturday, February 3rd 2007, 2:25 pm

By: News On 6

WALTERS, Okla. (AP) Six people have pleaded not guilty to felony cockfighting charges that could carry up to 10 years in state prison.

The defendants also waived their rights to a preliminary hearing
Friday. Their attorney, Irven Box of Oklahoma City, says he's trying to put the case on a fast track for trial.

Box says the case is a complicated one and that the cockfighting occurred in Indian Country. He says he's been researching Indian treaties for the case.

Cotton County deputies arrested the six in June 2004, on a complaint of cockfighting. They were taken into custody near Randlett at a metal building equipped with a pit, arena seating, and holding pens.

Oklahomans approved a statewide ban on cockfighting in a referendum in November 2002.