Teen pleads not guilty to killing principal

updated 11:17 p.m. ET April 30, 2007

BARABOO, Wis. - A 16-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his principal pleaded not guilty Monday.

Eric Hainstock faces one count of first-degree murder in the death of Weston Schools Principal John Klang last fall. He is charged as an adult and could face life in prison if convicted.

According to a criminal complaint, Hainstock told detectives he took guns to Weston the morning of Sept. 29 because he was upset that Klang and other school officials had done nothing to stop kids from teasing him. He told investigators he wanted to make people listen to him.

But Klang rushed him in a school hallway and tackled him. Hainstock told detectives he purposely shot the principal three times during the struggle. A wounded Klang managed to take the gun from Hainstock.

Hainstock’s attorney, Rhoda Ricciardi, asked Sauk County Circuit Judge Patrick Taggart on Monday to exclude Hainstock’s statements from evidence. Taggart is expected to consider the motion Thursday.

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