'Not Guilty' Plea Lobbied By Man Accused Of Fatal Spa Shootings

ATLANTA — The man accused of fatally shooting eight people in three metro Atlanta massage parlors in March pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four murder charges in Atlanta where he faces the death penalty, according to reports.

Robert Aaron Long appeared briefly before a Fulton County superior court judge Tuesday morning to enter his plea in the case surrounding the four deaths at Atlanta spas, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

His lawyer declared he was not guilty of the murder, aggravated assault, or domestic terrorism charges after waiving the arraignment, and asked the judge to allow more time to file motions.

In late July, Long, 22, pleaded guilty on all charges for shooting and killing four spa workers at a Cherokee County massage parlor on March 16, the same day he was charged with fatally shooting workers in Atlanta.

While he was given a life sentence by a Cherokee County judge, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking the death penalty.

In March, Long walked into a massage parlor just outside Acworth and opened fire, killing four people there and injuring one person. Police say he then drove to Atlanta and entered two neighboring spas where he shot and killed four more people.

Then he fled before being captured in south Georgia. Cherokee County Sheriff’s officials said Long confessed to the killings when he was in their custody.

For more on the Atlanta and Acworth Massage Spa shootings:

• Convicted Spa Shooter Must Now Face Atlanta Murder Charges
• Metro Atlanta Spa Shooter Pleads Guilty To 4 Murders
• Plea Deal Near For Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shooting Suspect
• Death Penalty Sought For Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shooter
• Massage Parlor Investigation Continues Despite Confession: Police
• Atlanta Spa Murders: Experts Discuss Sex Addiction
• Atlanta Spa Killings Elicit Grief, Resolve from AAPI Legislators
• Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shootings: 5 Things To Know
• 8 Killed In 3 Massage Parlor Shootings, 1 Arrested: Police
• Atlanta Massage Parlor Shootings 9-1-1 Calls Released
• Spa Shootings A Platform For Biden To Deliver On Unity Promise
• 'Bad Day' Comment After Spa Shootings Brings Criticism Of Office