The man accused of stabbing a woman and her daughter to death in Geneva has pleaded not guilty.

35-year-old John Edward Brown was formally charged on Monday morning. After entering his plea, he was taken to jail, where he is being held without bail.

Brown allegedly stabbed 35-year-old Helen Buchel and her 12-year-old daughter Brittany Passalacqua to death. Police said the stabbing happened either late Thursday or early Friday morning. Investigators say the murders could be the result of a domestic dispute between Brown and Buchel.

Brown has a criminal background. In 2003, he was convicted for assault involving an infant.