Watch CBS News

Man Denies Charges In Fatal Shooting At Auto Shop

BROOMFIELD, Colo. (AP) — A 62-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a woman at a vehicle repair shop in Broomfield has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

The Broomfield Enterprise reports Lawrence Crouch appeared in court Thursday for the Oct. 12, 2012, death of 56-year-old Mary McGrath, who worked at the shop. His trial is set for May 13.

Police say Crouch told them he planned the shooting at least a year earlier and wanted to kill McGrath because he thought she took advantage of the shop's owner. An arrest affidavit says Crouch also planned to kill himself and an employee at the Lakewood motel where he was living by using a makeshift bomb and burning the building down.

mary-mcgrath
Mary McGrath (credit: Broomfield Police)

In addition to first-degree murder, Crouch faces attempted murder, attempted arson and explosives charges.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.