Suspect Charged In L.I. Equestrian's Death Pleads Not Guilty
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A suspect accused of firing 11 shots through the window of a Long Island home, killing a popular equestrian and wounding the man's partner, has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.
Brett Knight was arraigned Wednesday on a six-count indictment. His lawyer said Knight is looking forward to fighting the charges.
Knight is charged in the Sept. 24 killing of Ross Reisner in Setauket. Prosecutors said one of the bullets grazed the forearm of Reisner's partner, Kevin Murray.
As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, Murray had tears in his eyes as he talked about his partner of more than 20 years.
"Thank you all because we lived such a beautiful life together," he said.
Suspect Charged In L.I. Equestrian's Death Pleads Not Guilty
Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota said Knight sued American Express after he was fired. But Knight said he believed Murray told American Express Knight was not telling the truth.
When Knight didn't get the money he was hoping for, he allegedly threatened the couple with text messages quoting the movie "Pulp Fiction."
Authorities said Knight had rented a basement apartment from the two men. He had allegedly been harassing the homeowners and had reportedly mailed them a dead bird.
Prosecutors said following the alleged harassment, Knight committed the murder.
A few months before the shooting, Murray had filed a complaint against Knight after he allegedly harassed Reisner.
Knight was arrested Oct. 10 in Tennessee by Suffolk County homicide detectives and U.S. marshals. Authorities said he had two handguns, including the alleged murder weapon, when he was arrested.
Reisner was a professional horse trainer as well as a rider. He appeared for decades at the Hampton Classic Horse Show.
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