Landing murder suspect pleads not guilty

Man accused of killing Chicago Bears fan

Matthew Hinson is arraigned in court.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The state attorney's office is looking to see if second-degree murder charges against a man accused of slitting the throat of a Chicago Bears fan at the Jacksonville Landing last month, killing him should be upgraded.

Matthew Hinson entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment Thursday morning.

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Prosecutors said they are looking to see if this should become a death penalty case.

Hinson's trial date was set for March 11.

William Christopher Pettry

The 27-year-old is accused of killing 42-year-old William Pettry.

Pettry, of Illinois, was visiting Jacksonville for the Bears-Jaguars game and was at Fionn MacCool's Irish Restaurant and Pub the night before.

Investigators said Hinson apparently became jealous and enraged when he saw his wife talking with Pettry at the restaurant. They said he "calmly and cold-bloodedly" cut Pettry's throat, then walked out and drove away.

Pettry was a father of three young children.