Just over two weeks after he was violently arrested by Binghamton police, Hamail Waddell pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest Wednesday.
Around 30 people, including friends, family and activists, packed Binghamton City Court for the brief hearing Wednesday.
A future appearance date was not assigned during the hearing.
A Binghamton police officer, Brad Kacynski, was seen kneeling on Waddell’s neck during the arrest in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day in downtown Binghamton.
Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said earlier this week that police are still looking for more video from the arrest as part of an investigation into the incident. He declined to give a timeline on the investigation. Meanwhile, Kacynski remains on administrative duties.
Following Wednesday’s court hearing, one of Waddell’s supporters was stopped by Binghamton police while exiting City Hall and cited with criminal possession of a weapon. The woman said she had a knife on her keychain and presented it to security to hold onto while she was in the building.
