Former Louisville police officer Nathan Stotts pleads not guilty at arraignment in fatal shooting case

A former Louisville Metro Police Department officer, Nathan Stotts, entered a plea of not guilty at an arraignment connected to the fatal shooting of Martin Nitzken Jr., according to Louisville Public Media. Stotts appeared in court to answer charges that include manslaughter and reckless homicide.

The arraignment required the court to set conditions on Stotts’ release while the case moves forward. Louisville Public Media reported that Stotts agreed to post a bond of $10,000 in cash or $20,000 secured by property, an arrangement intended to ensure his presence in court during the pending proceedings.

Prosecutors’ allegations center on Stotts’ role as an officer at the time of the fatal incident involving Nitzken Jr. The court appearance marked an early procedural step in the criminal case, with Stotts formally contesting the charges rather than accepting responsibility.

At the same time, the case highlights the long-running legal process that follows a police-involved death. For the family and community affected by such incidents, the arraignment establishes that the matter is headed toward further court action, including additional hearings and case milestones that will determine whether the case is resolved through trial or other outcomes allowed under criminal procedure.

The manslaughter and reckless homicide charges place questions of conduct and culpability before the court, with prosecutors tasked with proving their allegations. Stotts’ not guilty plea means the prosecution’s claims have not yet been resolved on the merits, and the bond terms are intended to manage custody status while the case proceeds.

As the case continues, the next stages will likely involve continued litigation over evidence and legal motions. Until those steps occur, Stotts remains charged but not convicted, and the bond arrangement remains part of the court’s oversight of the defendant’s release during the pendency of the case.