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Man accused of Goochland teacher attack pleads not guilty

Posted at 7:56 PM, May 10, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-11 11:11:29-04

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- The man accused of attacking a Goochland teacher at the middle school last year says he didn't do it.

Uriah Harris was arraigned Friday morning and entered a not guilty plea. He is charged with attempted murder.

Prosecutors said Harris beat up his ex-girlfriend as she walked through the parking lot of Goochland middle school before class in December 2012.

Two fellow teachers witnessed the attack and helped stop it.

His attorneys said they will not use an insanity defense and they will ask for a trial by jury.  Harris’ original arraignment was scheduled in March but was postponed when a judge ordered that he undergo a mental evaluation.

Previously Harris’ attorney John Amos told Judge Timothy Sanner his client has been “controlled by voices in his head.”

From my first conversation with him he indicated a great concern for the young woman hurt,” Amos said. “He did express remorse that it happened. He just didn’t fully understand why and that’s the reason that we need the sanity evaluation.”