(Update 9:57 a.m. ) – A man accused in a fatal stabbing at Krug Park appeared in court Thursday.

Through his attorney, Sebastian Dowell, 18 waived a formal Circuit Court arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty.  Dowell is charged in Buchanan County with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 17-year-old Kaytlin Root.  As we previously reported, Root’s body was found in Krug Park in October by a runner off of a bike trail.

Around a dozen friends and family members of the victim were in the courtroom Thursday morning wearing t-shirts that read “Justice for Kaytlin.”

Dowell is due back in court in February.  He continues to be held without bail in the Buchanan County Jail.

A 17-year-old girl is also charged in juvenile court with a class A felony of second-degree murder.  She appeared for a hearing Thursday for a judge to decide if she should be tried as an adult.  Judge Patrick Robb will rule on that case at a later date.  She remains in juvenile custody.