Crime

Teen accused of assisting, filming girl's suicide pleads not guilty to murder

October 24, 2017 / 5:23 PM EDT / AP

Utah teen accused of filming friend's suicide

SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah man accused of encouraging a high school friend to hang herself and filming the act has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.

Tyerell Przybycien at his preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, Aug. 23, 2017. Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP

Court records show 18-year-old Tyerell Przybycien entered the plea Tuesday.

Prosecutors say he was fascinated with death and told a friend that helping her would be "like getting away with murder."

They say he Przybycien bought a rope and tied the noose for the 16-year-old girl who hanged herself in May.

Defense attorneys argue the 16-year-old girl left suicide notes showing she made the choice herself, and Przybycien's role did not amount to murder.

A judge last week called the case unusual and said allegations Przybycien was deeply involved with the suicide were strong enough to warrant a murder charge.