A Phoenix woman arrested in connection with the murder of her mother last month has pleaded not guilty.
Phoenix police say the victim also was in the process of being dismembered when officers arrived on the scene on July 30.
Maricopa County prosecutors say 42-year-old Carol Hatley entered her plea Thursday. Her next scheduled court date is Sept. 28.
She was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree murder after police found the body of 73-year-old Deborah Hatley at her home.
Police say Deborah Hatley had obvious trauma to her body and had been murdered and was in the process of being dismembered.
They say Carol Hatley provided a statement regarding the circumstances that preceded the death of her mother and taken into custody.
