Christopher P. Vincenti, charged last month with taking part in the murder of Anthony Hamlin in January 2006, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded not guilty Tuesday during an appearance in New London Superior Court.

Vincenti, 32, of New London, and Timothy P. Johnson, 32, of Norwich, both accused of felony murder in connection with Hamlin's beating death, each now have waived the hearing. 

"My client has waived a probable cause hearing, in part because he does not want the victim's family to go through hearing the details alleged in this crime," said attorney Christopher L. Morano, who, with attorney Ronald F. Stevens, is defending Vincenti. 

As defendants in a murder case, Vincenti and Johnson were entitled, within 60 days of their arrests, to a hearing at which a state's attorney calls witnesses and submits information to the court in an attempt to convince the judge there is enough evidence to prosecute the case. The probable cause hearing is sometimes described as a "mini trial."

Having waived the hearings, attorneys for the two defendants now will engage in pretrial discussions with State's Attorney David J. Smith in a attempt to resolve the case short of a trial. Johnson is represented by attorney Bruce B. McIntyre.

Johnson is being held in lieu of $1 million at the Northern Correctional Institution in Somers. Vincenti is being held in lieu of $1 million at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield.

Hamlin's body was discovered Jan. 28, 2006, in a field adjacent to 448 Shewville Road in Ledyard. The 40-year-old father of five died from blunt force trauma to the head, and his killers left him face down and naked in a former horse pasture.

k.florin@theday.com