WAUSAU, WI (WTAQ) - A St. Paul man has pleaded not guilty to shooting his girlfriend to death near Wausau.

21-year-old Richi Vue was arraigned in Marathon County Thursday on five felony charges – which also include allegations that he stole a pick-up truck and eluded officers who tried to arrest him.

His lawyers say they’ll try to prevent a possible jury from hearing statements Vue made to police upon his arrest. A hearing on pre-trial requests will be the next step in the case – but it has not been scheduled yet.

Vue is accused of killing 20-year-old Lee Xiong in an apartment in Weston, just east of Wausau. Prosecutors said the two were dealing methamphetamines from the apartment, and a dispute over a drug deal led to the slaying.

The murder occurred in a family apartment, and a 14-year-old girl was there at the time. She made the initial calls to police.

Previous reports said the gun involved was among 55 stolen in a pair of gun shop burglaries in Wausau and Lincoln County – and some have been tied to other crimes.

Vue remains in jail under a $1 million bond.