A 26-year-old Tempe man has pleaded not guilty in the stabbing death of a Scottsdale nightclub bouncer who was a former Arizona State University football player.
Ian MacDonald entered the plea Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court, nearly three weeks after he was arraigned on a second-degree murder charge.
Investigators say 27-year-old Tyrice Thompson of Laveen was stabbed five times in the back, hip and arm after an early-morning altercation inside Martini Ranch on Jan. 27.
Authorities say MacDonald admitted being involved in the fight but denied stabbing Thompson.
Thompson played tight end and receiver for the Sun Devils from 2003-07.
He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts, but never played in an NFL game.
