Seal Beach Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

Scott Dekraai, the Huntington Beach man charged with capital murder - eight counts of murder and one count of attempted murder - pleaded not guilty today at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

The brutal massacre of eight people on October 12 marked the worst mass killing in Orange County history. Dekraai opened fire on Salon Meritage where his ex-wife worked, killing eight people and injuring one woman.

Dekraai allegedly slayed the victims in an act of revenge against his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier. The two were involved in a heated custody battle over their 8-year-old son, Dominic.

After Dekraai's defense team resigned, "citing Dekraai's inability to pay for what will be an extremely costly trial," according to Press-Telegram, the court appointed a new defense attorney to him last month.

About 20 family members of the victims and several Seal Beach police detectives attended today's arraignment. There is speculation that Dekraai will plead not guilty by insanity, says Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Patch.