Phoenix man pleads not guilty in stabbing death of roommate

PHOENIX (AP) - A 23-year-old Phoenix man who was arrested after police helped him out has pleaded not guilty in the stabbing death of his roommate.

A Maricopa County Superior Court spokesman says Mykel Cantrel Cooper entered his plea Tuesday.

Cooper is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 29-year-old Steven Horkovy.

The victim's body was found in his room in their apartment after Cooper told staff at a behavioral health facility that he'd done something bad to his roommate.

Police had taken Cooper to the facility after they were called to a restaurant where Cooper said he had no money to pay for his meal. The officers paid for his meal and a tip.