Former MMA fighter and anti-violence activist, Lumumba Sayers Sr., pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday morning.

He also faces two counts of felony menacing and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Sayers Sr. stood at the podium clutching his right arm — that of which had a sling on it due to an unidentified injury last time he appeared before the Adams County court Jan. 31.

When asked if he was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol that may impede his decision-making process, Sayers Sr. responded, “I have never used drugs or alcohol a day in my life, your honor.”

Now, the man who started the Heavy Hands, Heavy Hearts Center foundation in 2015 to combat youth violence prevention in Denver will be tried for the murder of 28-year-old Malcolm Watson later this year. 

Prior to the shooting, Sayers Sr. had a “subsequent history” of arrests but no actual convictions and hadn’t been arrested since 2010, according to a 2016 petition filed in Arapahoe County District Court to seal Sayers Sr.’s criminal record.

The petition attempted to seal Sayers Sr.’s failure to register charge from 2005, claiming that the charge was interfering with his ability to secure contracts for his moving company.

Now, Sayers Sr. is suspected of walking up and shooting Watson once in the head and four times in the torso at Watson’s son’s fifth birthday party at Pioneer Park in Commerce City on Aug. 10.

Multiple witnesses also alleged that Sayers Sr. pointed a gun at a bystander, took keys from Watson’s body and attempted to place the handgun under him, according to the arrest affidavit.

When bystanders recorded the incident on camera, Sayers Sr. allegedly tried to take the phone from them, leading to a game of keep away before he allegedly walked over to a vehicle, talked to his daughter and then returned with a different gun that he placed near Watson.

The shooting came nearly a year after Sayers Sr.’s 23-year-old son, Lumumba Sayers Jr., was shot and killed Aug. 19, 2023 at 28th and Welton streets in Denver. The quadruple-victim shooting left Sayers Jr. and 25-year-old Gulian Musiwa dead.

Suspect Tyrell Braxton, 24, was arrested a month after the shooting on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree assault; the police believe that Braxton and Watson were friends.

According to Deputy District Attorney Laura Anderson, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigation found that the second handgun — which had not been fired, did not have a bullet in the chamber and was purposely placed next to Watson — was purchased by the former roommate of Sayers Jr.

The actual handgun matching the bullet casings at the scene have not been found, with prosecutors theorizing that he handed it to his daughter to hide before he was arrested.

In the Jan. 31 hearing, Sayers Sr.’s defense attorney, Megan Downing, suggested the potential of a second shooter or an act of self-defense from Sayers Sr., with the latter claiming that Watson drew a gun on him first. 

In Wednesday’s arraignment, Downing also attempted to get Sayers Sr.’s bond lowered again — a discussion point that has been addressed at every hearing since his arrest.

Sayers Sr. first bond hearing Aug. 15 eventually led to a $5 million cash-only bond, an increase from the $1 million bond initially set by 17th Judicial District Judge Jeffrey Ruff.

Downing then argued again that the bond was too high Nov. 26, with Sayers Sr. allegedly being able to be protected and supported by his wide community on bail, Ruff decided to keep the amount the same.

“I don’t want to ask for bond every appearance without some sustentative information for the court, but at the same time, I have a client who’s being held on a $5 million bond when we have concerns about exculpatory evidence,” Downing told the judge Wednesday. 

The defense lawyer added that there are still pieces of discover that have yet to be turned over to the defense, including a gunshot residue investigation. 

Furthermore, Downing said that Sayers Sr. suffered another “significant injury” while in jail — alluding to his right arm that was in a sling last hearing. 

She said the arm was swollen and cut open, but did not know the extent of the injury. She also did not say how it occurred. 

Regardless, the argument for a lowered bond was pushed off for future discussions with Ruff saying he had not heard enough for a substantial change Wednesday. 

Sayers Sr. is now set for an estimated two-week trial on Sept. 2, a little over a year after the shooting and two years after his son’s death.