RAINIER, OR (KPTV) -
A southwest Washington man has pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting Rainier's police chief.
Daniel Butts was arraigned Wednesday at the Columbia County Jail on 24 counts in connection with Chief Ralph Painter's death.
The indictment alleges that Butts committed the aggravated murder of Painter and the attempted aggravated murder of two other officers who were shot at during an investigation of robbery and theft at a Rainier car stereo shop Jan. 5, 2011.
During the arraignment, Butts sat in silence and didn't answer the judge when asked if he understood.
Painter's family watched the proceedings through the glass of an adjoining room. They did not comment afterward.
The district attorney says another hearing will likely be held in a few weeks to set trial dates.
Earlier this month, a judge ruled that Butts was mentally competent to stand trial.
He is still being held at the jail without bail.
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