Former Marine Cesar Laurean has pleaded not guilty to killing Maria Lauterbach.

That plea was made in an Onslow County courtroom this afternoon. Laurean also pleaded not guilty to financial card theft and robbery.

The former Marine is accused of killing Lauterbach and then burying her body in his backyard in a fire pit.

Lawyers will be back in court during the week of July 20th to discuss any scheduling issues and pre-trial motions. District Attorney Dewey Hudson made it clear that the prosecution would be ready for trial later this year, but defense lawyer Dick McNeil said other case commitments won't allow him to be ready until March, at the earliest.

Hudson says the fact that Lauterbach was not pregnant with Laurean's baby doesn't change the strategy of their case. The Marine lance corporal was 8-months pregnant when killed.

After the court hearing McNeil told reporters his client is in a private cell and is only allowed out for one hour on Monday, Wednesday & Fridays, along with 15 minutes of visitation time on Saturday and Sundays.

McNeil complained that Sheriff Ed Brown only allows inmates to read the Bible and their legal papers. He says Laurean would be able to keep his brain functioning if allowed to read other books and magazines.

There was no request from McNeil to ask the judge to set a bond for Laurean.

The former Marine accused of killing a woman and burying her in his backyard is expected to appear in court again Monday.

Cesar Laurean is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow afternoon around 2 p.m.

He is charged with the murder of Marine Maria Lauterbach. She was eight months pregnant when she died.

Laurean took off from the United States in January of 2008 and was captured in central Mexico in April of that year, where he fought extradition.

Laurean was recently expelled from the Marine Corps by the service.