Man accused of fatally stabbing L.I. teen in a massive brawl pleads not guilty, but gets held without bail

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- (WPIX) -- The man accused of stabbing a 16-year-old high school student to death during a brawl on Long Island this week faced a judge on Thursday for the crime.

The arraignment featured an unsubstantiated claim, made by the lawyer for suspect Tyler Flach, of a gang connection. The statement left the family and supporters of victim Khaseen Morris in shock and in tears.

Flach, 18, never spoke in public on Thursday, even though he was widely seen.

He was led in handcuffs from the detective squad to a car that took him to criminal court Thursday morning. He said nothing, while cameras rolled, and reporters shouted questions.

He also did not speak in court early Thursday afternoon. Instead, his attorney, Edward Sapone, entered a not-guilty plea on his client's behalf. Then, Sapone made a statement about Khaseen Morris that resulted in Morris's two dozen or so supporters audibly gasping in the courtroom gallery.

"There is certainly evidence on social media that tends to suggest that that group is involved with street gang violence," Sapone elaborated after the court hearing.

He was referring to friends of Morris's friends who'd been at the scene of the fight on Monday after school.

Up to 70 teens were on site as the brawl broke out around 3:45 p.m. The melee was recorded on various witnesses' cellphones.