Three men accused of gunning down Macon-area rapper Markese Mahone recently were in Liberty County Superior Court, each pleaded not guilty during their formal arraignments.

Derrick Harvey, Julous Mathenia and James Stump have been charged with one count each of murder and one count each of criminal attempt to commit a felony in the shooting of Mahone, which resulted in his death at the Days Inn in Flemington in October.

According to initial Liberty County Sheriff’s Office reports, Mahone was carrying a large sum of money. The men confronted Mahone with shotguns, demanded money and shot him, the reports state. Mahone was found lying in a pool of blood by Deputy Dustin Rushing, according to the reports.

All three men were denied bond during their first hearing. The formal arraignments were on July 13.

Harvey and Mathenia are both residents of Long County. Stump is a resident of Hinesville.

Stump’s attorney, Liberty County Public Defender John Ely, filed a motion before Superior Court Judge Paul Rose requesting his defendant be severed from the other two co-defendants before trial.

The motion is pending.