Duell McCall Clifton, 25, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to murdering his wife and tampering with evidence on June 8.

Clifton is charged in district court in Minot with Class AA felony murder and Class C felony tampering with physical evidence.

The victim in the case was identified by Minot police as Alytreus C. Clifton, 22. A marriage record between Clifton and Alytreus Cierah Rowe was published in The Minot Daily News in May 2018.

According to Minot police, they received a request to do a welfare check at a southeast Minot residence late on the afternoon of June 8. The investigation led to a residence in Faith, S.D., where Alytreus Clifton was found dead. Duell Clifton was arrested in South Dakota and was returned to North Dakota to face the charges against him.

The state is not alleging that a weapon was used in commission of the crime.

Clifton could face up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted and would have to serve at least 85 percent of any sentence imposed if he is convicted or pleads guilty to the murder.

Records in the case have been sealed but a listing on the North Dakota Courts site earlier this summer that was later removed showed that a motion was filed to order Clifton committed for a psychological evaluation and determination of criminal responsibility.

At a hearing on Thursday before Judge Gary Lee, defense attorney Ashley Gulke said Clifton would be waiving his right to a probable cause hearing and entering not guilty pleas. The courtroom gallery was filled with people who were there to attend the hearing, including a woman who sobbed loudly when she saw Clifton in custody and when he entered his pleas.

The next hearing in the case is a pre-trial conference scheduled for Dec. 9.