Ordenstein pleads innocent

Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE -- Former New Mexico football player Kawika Ordenstein pleaded innocent yesterday to attempted murder in the beating of another athlete.

Ordenstein, of Kailua, Hawaii, who was a high school basketball and football star at St. Louis School, was arraigned before Metropolitan Court Judge Frank Gentry. Ten percent of Ordenstein's $100,000 bail was posted and Ordenstein was released from jail last night.

The former Lobos wide receiver was charged in an arrest warrant Friday night in the beating of UNM track sprinter James Marin. Ordenstein is accused of beating Marin, 19, on Thursday during a fight outside the school's athletic complex.

Ordenstein is accused of repeatedly slamming Marin's head against a car. Marin suffered an inner-ear hemorrhage, ruptured eardrum and broken cheekbone, according to the arrest warrant.

At yesterday's hearing, Ordenstein's attorney asked the judge to dismiss the attempted murder charge. Gentry turned down the defense request.

"I moved to dismiss the attempted murder charge for a lack of probable cause," attorney Robert Cooper said. "I felt that, based on the affidavit, there was nothing more than an aggravated battery."

Attempted murder is a second-degree felony that carries a basic sentence of seven years in prison.