Binghamton student pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing
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A Binghamton University student accused of fatally stabbing a 19-year-old freshman in a dormitory has pleaded not guilty.
A public defender representing 20-year-old Michael Roque of Massapequa, New York, entered the plea on his behalf late Monday. Roque faces a second-degree murder charge in the killing of Joao Souza on Sunday night in a residence suite on the New York state campus near the Pennsylvania state line.
Roque was found Monday at his dormitory.
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The university says Souza had attended high school in New York and was a native of Brazil.
University officials say investigators believe the suspect targeted Souza. Police and the district attorney would not provide a possible motive.
University president Harvey Stenger said in a statement that police are working with the community to keep the campus safe.