LIBERTY, Texas (AP) _ Six of the 19 people accused of taking part in a series of sexual assaults on an 11-year-old girl in southeast Texas have pleaded not guilty to charges in the case.
The six entered their pleas in court hearings Monday in Liberty, located near the small town of Cleveland, where authorities say the assaults took place.
Seven others who had previously pleaded not guilty were also in court. One who had been set to be in court did not appear.
Most of the next court hearings in the case are set for July 6.
Five juveniles have also been charged.
Since February, police have arrested individuals ranging from a middle-school student to a 27-year-old, accusing them of sexually assaulting the girl on at least four occasions starting in September.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)