STATESVILLE, N.C. -- A man accused of shooting and killing two people during a convenience store robbery just before Christmas last year pleaded not guilty Friday.

Andrew Ramsuer is charged with two counts of murder and robbery. Statesville detectives said Ramsuer robbed the Shell station along Broad Street at Interstate 77. They said he then shot and killed Jeff Peck, who was a customer, and Jennifer Vincek, the cashier and a mother of three.

Vincek’s mother was in the courtroom for the plea hearing.

"Seeing him is terrible, knowing that he's there and knowing he's pleading not guilty, which it was very hard to watch him,” said Donna McDaniel.

The trial is not expected to happen until next summer.

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