BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A 13-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and sex abuse in the strangling death of another 13-year-old.
The suspect appeared Tuesday in Erie County Court after being indicted by a grand jury.
Authorities say he killed Ameer Al-Shammari with a shoelace last month after allegedly stealing the Iraqi refugee’s cell phone.
In court, Assistant District Attorney Paul Parisi said the prosecution case is built on DNA evidence, a confession, and surveillance video.
The Associated Press isn’t naming the suspect because of his age. He is being held without bail.
