Ohioan pleads not guilty in slayings of his mom, girlfriend

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (AP) — A central Ohio man who police say confessed to fatally shooting his mother and girlfriend while high on a synthetic drug has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder.

Travis Bonham, 31, was arraigned Thursday in Knox County, where he remains jailed on $1 million bond. He also is charged with theft of a firearm, evidence-tampering and being a felon in illegal possession of a weapon.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Prosecutor Chip McConville said he plans to discuss a plea agreement with defense attorneys and doesn’t anticipate the case going to trial.

Investigators say Bonham admitted he shot his mother and his 23-year-old girlfriend Sept. 29 while high on the drug known as bath salts.

He could face up to life in prison if convicted.