Ex-Northwestern Prof, Oxford Staffer Plead Not Guilty In Fatal Sex Fantasy Stabbing (VIDEO)

CHICAGO, IL — Nearly two months after turning themselves in to authorities, a former Northwestern University professor and an Oxford University staffer formally pleaded not guilty to the gruesome murder of a 26-year-old hairstylist in July. Lawyers for microbiologist Wyndham Lathem, 46, and British national Andrew Warren, 56, entered the pleas Thursday in a Chicago courtroom, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Both men face six counts each of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Trenton Cornell-Duranleau, who prosecutors say was Lathem's lover.

Prosecutors told the court Thursday that extended sentences were being sought against the men, claiming their actions were all part of a plan the two had devised, the Sun-Times reports. Previously, prosecutors claimed the attack was the result of a sex fantasy involving murder and suicide that Lathem and Warren had discussed with one another. Both men remain held without bail while they await trial.

Authorities allege that Lathem and Warren brutally stabbed Trenton Cornell-Duranleau 70 times on July 27 inside the former Northwestern academic's high-rise home at the Grand Plaza Apartments in the 500 block of North State Street in the River North neighborhood. The two men then allegedly fled the state before Cornell-Duranleau's mutilated and decapitated body was found by police. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Watch: Not Guilty Pleas In Apparent Sex Stabbing

A national manhunt for Lathem and Warren ensued once the pair was identified as suspects in the murder. The two eventually turned themselves in to authorities in California on Aug. 4. Before Thursday's proceedings, Lathem's attorney had indicated that his client would be pleading not guilty to the six counts.

More Patch Coverage:

• Manhunt For Northwestern Professor Wanted In Fatal Stabbing
• Northwestern Professor Wanted: 5 Things We Know About The Brutal Murder Case So Far
• Ex-Northwestern Prof Will Plead Not Guilty To Murder Charge
• Sex Fantasy Of Ex-Northwestern Professor, Oxford Staffer Led To Fatal Stabbing
• Ex-Northwestern Prof, Oxford Staffer Indicted In Brutal Stabbing

More via the Chicago Sun-Times

Wyndham Lathem (left) and Adam Warren (Photos via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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