The Mountie charged in a crash that proved fatal for a Tagish woman has pleaded not guilty.

Const. Jeff Monkman, 28, wasn't present in court this morning when his lawyer, Edward Horembala, one of the most senior defence counsel in Whitehorse, entered the not guilty plea before a justice of the peace.

The constable, who's served in the RCMP for a little more than six years, was charged with a Motor Vehicles Act offence of driving without due care and attention about a month ago.

His case will be back in court May 14 to set a trial date.

There is still some evidence disclosure matters to be sorted out with the territorial Crown's office, Horembala told the court this morning.

Monkman was one of three RCMP officers stationed in Carcross last Sept. 27 when the police cruiser he was driving flipped and crashed.

The constable was uninjured, but 37-year-old Heather Lynn Benson died at the scene along the South Klondike Highway.

The Tagish woman had been arrested earlier that night and was being transported to Whitehorse by Monkman for a court appearance.

Benson was handcuffed with her hands in front of her at the time, and she wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

A coroner's inquest has yet to be scheduled but will be held following the conclusion of the constable's charges. In-custody deaths are routinely the subject of inquests.

Monkman has been working as a general duty officer in Whitehorse since the fatal crash more than seven months ago.

At a news conference held last month to announce the driving charge, a Yukon RCMP spokesman said he didn't know if the RCMP would be footing Monkman's legal bill as the officer was on duty at the time of the crash. That information was not available before press deadline today.