BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. -- A state trooper who lived with the widow of a murdered Blairsville dentist said he had nothing to do with the killing, according to our news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Trooper Kevin Foley, 42, said he didn't conspire to cause or cover up the death of Dr. John Yelenic in April 2006 and denies making statements that he planned to kill Yelenic.

Foley is jailed awaiting trial in Yelenic's murder.

His denial is contained in his response to a wrongful death suit Yelenic's heirs have filed against the Pennsylvania State Police, Foley and Michelle Yelenic in U.S. District Court, Harrisburg.

Michelle Yelenic was divorcing her husband and living with Foley when the dentist was slashed to death. She filed papers denying any role in the murder last week and has never been charged criminally.