One of three men suspected in the beating of a Nickerson man back in September of 2011 has entered pleas on “not guilty” to the charges against him. This after Zachary Lawson waived his right to a preliminary hearing last week.

Lawson was offered a similar plea then what co-defendant Jeremia Palmer excepted, but declined the offer. He’s charged with aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, criminal threat, possession of drugs, possession of meth and marijuana. He also has a hold by the feds for a case in Arkansas.

The case against the two centers on 28-year-old Larry McVey reporting that he had been kidnapped, beaten and robbed by the three men back on September 8, 2011.

Palmer, was charged with aggravated kidnapping but as part of a plea agreement the state amended the complaint changing the charge to conspiracy to commit first degree murder. He also entered pleas to conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated intimidation of a victim, two counts of criminal threat, one from another case. Then a charge of aggravated battery from a third case was knocked down to simple battery.

Palmer will be sentenced on March 29, while it appears Lawson will face a jury trial.

The third co-defendant, 28-year-old Jedrik Smith was sentenced to 196-months for two cases against him including the kidnapping case.