PRINCETON (WVVA) - A Mercer County man charged with murder has pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Gerald Little entered pleas of not guilty to charges of murder, burglary, robbery and failing to register as a sex offender in court Monday morning.
Little is accused in the March 1, 2012, stabbing death of Princeton resident Jerry Buckner.
Buckner was found dead at his home by a friend after he failed to show up for work at the Bluefield Post Office.
Police believe the motive was robbery. They say Little was an acquaintance of Buckner, who was living with some people who were renting from Buckner.
Police said Little had done some odd jobs for Buckner.
Little's trial date was set for Jan. 22, 2013.
Judge John Hrko -- specially appointed from Wyoming County -- will preside in the case against Little.
A special judge was requested due to the close relationship between the victim and several people in the Mercer County court system.
The victim is the brother of former Mercer County sheriff and magistrate Harold Buckner.