William Palmer Heyser, 51, pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to killing his cousin and neighbor Arthur James Palmer III, 46, outside their homes in Northeast Portland.

Heyser appeared Tuesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court to face a two-count indictment charging him with murder with a firearm constituting domestic violence and felon in possession of a firearm in the March 28 incident.

North Precinct officers were called to 73 N.E. Morris St. at 1:09 a.m. on a report of a shooting.

Police and emergency medics found Palmer's body in the front yard of Heyser's home.

Officers learned that the two men had been arguing before Heyser shot Palmer once with a shotgun.

Heyser remained at the scene with other family members and was taken into custody. A shotgun at the scene was seized by police.

Heyser told officials that he had been drinking the night before, and that the shooting was an accident, according to court records.

A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Heyser on the allegation that he "unlawfully and intentionally'' killed Palmer.

According to court papers, Heyser worked for Rose City Cab and has lived on Morris Street in Portland for 20 years. He has had eight felony convictions since 2000, including for burglary, robbery, theft and possession of cocaine.

Heyser is being held at Inverness Jail on no bail. A trial date tentatively was set for May 15.

-- Maxine Bernstein

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