Frankenhauser Pleads Not Guilty In Fayetteville Woman’s Shooting Death

Eric Frankenhauser, accused of killing Jessica Stewart in Fayetteville earlier this month, pleaded not guilty to murder during an arraignment at the Washington County Detention Center Wednesday.

Frankenhouser is charged with a Class Y capital murder charge punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty, officials said. He was assigned an Oct. 24 court date before Circuit Judge William Storey.

Not guilty pleas are common during felony arraignment hearings during which defendants are read the charges against them and are asked to enter a plea. Frankenhauser, shackled and wearing orange-and-white striped detention center garb, pleaded not guilty after Magistrate Judge Ray Reynolds read the felony charge against him.

Frankenhauser, 40, was arrested in Franklin County, Ohio, this month in connection with the shooting death of 39-year-old Jessica Stewart of Fayetteville.

He was seen walking down a road 12 miles west of Columbus when he was stopped by deputies and arrested without incident, said Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor.

Stewart was found shot in the head in front of a residence at 2228 W. Wedington Drive on Sunday, August 5.  She died the next day at Washington Regional Medical Center.

Neighbors said Frankenhauser was Stewart’s boyfriend.