Man accused in Rockford stabbing spree enters not guilty plea

The man accused of killing four people during a March 27 rampage through a Rockford neighborhood entered a not guilty plea Thursday.

Christian I. Soto, 23, of Rockford, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of attempted murder, three counts of home invasion and multiple counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He faces up to life in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys on Thursday told Judge Debra Schafer that they agreed a doctor had found Soto is fit to stand trial.

Soto is accused in the horrific killings of four people including 15-year-old East High School student Jenna Newcomb, U.S. Postal Letter Carrier Jay Larson, 49, Rockford native Romona Schupbach, 63, and her son, Jacob "Jake" Schupbach, 23.

The case returns to court July 24.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Man accused in Rockford killing spree enter plea in court