Blues forward Danton pleads innocent in plot

Associated Press

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- St. Louis Blues forward Mike Danton pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges that he conspired to kill an acquaintance in a murder-for-hire plot.

Danton, wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, spoke in calm and measured tones in brief responses to questions from U.S. Magistrate Gerald Cohn at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis, Ill. He is charged with conspiring and using a telephone across state lines to attempt a murder.

A pretrial hearing was scheduled for July 12, and a trial was set for July 20.

Three of Danton's relatives -- mother Sue Jefferson, brother Tom Jefferson and aunt Linda Gebe -- were at the hearing. So were two of Danton's Blues teammates, Scott Mellanby and Doug Weight, along with team marketing director Jim Woodcock.

Gebe said the family is holding up “as well as can be expected” under the circumstances.

Cohn set a detention hearing for Friday afternoon. Danton will remain in the Clinton County, Ill., jail until then. Federal prosecutor Randy Massey said the government will recommend that he remain jailed.

Danton's attorney, Bob Haar, is hopeful Danton will be released on bond. He noted that Danton has a shoulder injury that needs treatment.

Danton's alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Katie Wolfmeyer, pleaded innocent Thursday and is free on $100,000 bond.

Federal authorities said Danton wanted the acquaintance killed after the two men argued April 13 over Danton's “promiscuity and use of alcohol.” Danton allegedly “begged the acquaintance not to go to the general manager of the St. Louis Blues hockey organization and ruin his career,” according to FBI criminal complaint filed in the case.