Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

(AP) -- The two southwest Missouri men charged in the rape and murder of 9-year-old Rowan Ford have pleaded not guilty.

Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, and his friend, Chris Collings, made a brief appearance in a Barry County courtroom.

Spears stared at the floor to avoid eye contact with his wife and Rowan's mother.

Colleen Spears sat in the front row of the gallery, but did not speak.

When questioned by the judge, the defendants spoke quietly and could not be heard by many in the courtroom.

But court documents indicated the entry of not guilty pleas.

When asked later to clarify the proceedings, the Barry County prosecutor told reporters the men did not enter formal pleas.

He declined to comment on the differing accounts.

(Copyright ©2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)