EPHRATA — The Montana man accused of killing Sage Munro in December pleaded not guilty in Grant County Superior Court.

David E. Nickels, 29, is facing a charge of murder in the first degree for allegedly shooting the Ephrata resident in the chest near his home.

EPHRATA — The Montana man accused of killing Sage Munro in December pleaded not guilty in Grant County Superior Court.

David E. Nickels, 29, is facing a charge of murder in the first degree for allegedly shooting the Ephrata resident in the chest near his home.

Nickels, the ex-boyfriend of a woman Munro was dating, was reportedly enraged when he discovered the woman and Munro were dating, according to a Grant County sheriff’s report. Nickels reportedly harassed his ex-girlfriend and when he discovered she was dating Munro harassed him too.

Witnesses reported Nickels called Munro several times, saying he was still in a relationship with the woman, according to the police report.

The woman admitted to meeting with Nickels several times, but they were not intimate, according to the police report.

After reportedly committing the murder, Nickels reportedly bragged to an acquaintance about shooting Munro, saying the victim “never expected it and did not see it coming.” When asked why he did it, Nickels allegedly said because Munro was dating his ex-girlfriend.

Nickels’ cellphone was registered at a cell tower on Second Avenue in Spokane at 8:51 a.m., within three hours of the murder on Dec. 29, indicating he was traveling eastbound on Interstate 90.

Nickels’ DNA reportedly matched a sample found on a pair of handcuffs discovered at the scene.