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Accused gunman pleads not guilty

The alleged gunman in last month's home invasion and attempted robbery in Austin entered provisional not guilty pleas to all charges Thursday in Mower County District Court.

Mongong Kual Maniang Deng, 20, of Rochester, appeared before District Judge Donald E. Rysavy to enter the pleas on multiple felony counts, including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree burglary.

Deng did not speak during the five-minute appearance. He's represented by public defender Paul Spyhalski, who told the court he is still waiting for DNA testing to be completed.

A pretrial hearing was set for July 1; a jury trial is scheduled to begin July 11.

Deng was arrested two days after the March 28 shooting in the 200 block of First Street Southeast in Austin. He's accused of kicking in the door of an apartment and demanding money from a 28-year-old man who lived there.

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The man was shot in the upper left leg with a 12-gauge shotgun after a struggle with Deng, according to court documents.

Two other men charged in the crime already have entered pleas.

Kevin Michael Lyke, 20, pleaded guilty April 14 to felony aiding/abetting first-degree assault. Additional counts of first-degree burglary-possessing a dangerous weapon and first-degree aiding/abetting aggravated robbery were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Lyke is scheduled to be sentenced June 17.

The third defendant, Ojulu Onyongo, also 20, pleaded not guilty to all charges April 11. His jury trial is also set to begin July 11.

The men remain in custody in the Mower County Jail.

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