A 44-year-old man indicted in the slaying of a Pasadena nightclub owner pleaded not guilty yesterday during a hearing in Anne Arundel Circuit Court.
Gilbert Eric Griffin, who is serving a 10-year sentence at the Maryland House of Corrections for stealing the gun that killed JoAnne S. Valentine, appeared before Judge Eugene M. Lerner with his public defender, Pamela North.
Since Griffin is already in prison, Ms. North said, it would be pointless to ask for bail.
Griffin and co-defendant Edward W. McLeod, 44, were indicted Monday on charges of first-degree murder, attempted robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery, conspiracy and handgun violations.
This is the second time they have been charged in the Sept. 26, 1993, fatal shooting of Mrs. Valentine, 47, who was found in the driveway of her home in the 500 block of Broadwater Road in Arnold.
Prosecutors dropped murder charges against the men this year, citing insufficient evidence.
But police continued their investigation and now say they have turned up additional information.
Prosecutors and police would not comment on the new evidence.
Robbery was the motive for the killing, prosecutors say.
Mr. McLeod is being held without bail in the county detention center.