Man pleads not guilty to murder in attack on co-worker

RENSSELAER, Ind. (AP) - A man arrested following the fatal stabbing of a teenage co-worker at northwestern Indiana restaurant has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Thirty-nine-year-old Raymond Dhliwayo of Merrillville entered the plea during his first court appearance Wednesday.

Seventeen-year-old Rensselaer Central High School student Jared Valentine was stabbed three times during a shift Thursday evening at an Arby's restaurant in Rensselaer. He later died at a hospital.

The Lafayette Journal & Courier reports police found Dhliwayo a few blocks away with a sheathed 6-inch fillet knife by his side.

Court documents say Dhilwayo told officers that after Valentine made an insulting comment, he retrieved the knife from his van and attacked Valentine from behind.

A message seeking comment was left for Dhliwayo's attorney.

Rennselaer is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Gary.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com