BRIGHTON, Colo.—A suburban software executive has pleaded not guilty in the slaying of his former business partner.
William Rex Fowler entered his plea Thursday in Adams County District Court in Brighton. The 58-year-old Fowler is charged with first-degree murder in the Dec. 30 shooting of Thomas Ciancio (CHONCH-oh) who left Fowler Software Design over business disagreements.
Authorities say Ciancio was shot when he met Fowler to receive a settlement check. Police initially thought Fowler was the victim because he staggered bleeding from the office building with a gunshot wound to the head.
Prosecutors say Fowler’s wound may have been self-inflicted.
Cianco, the software firm’s former chief operating officer, was shot three times in the head.
The trial is set for Oct. 25.
———
Information from: KMGH-TV,
