Student pleads not guilty in CA college hate crime

One of four suspended white students accused of hate crimes against a black student at a California college has pleaded not guilty.

Logan Beaschler entered his plea to misdemeanor hate crime and misdemeanor battery charges during his arraignment in Santa Clara County Superior Court on Monday. The 18-year-old is one of four freshmen at San Jose State University charged with racially tormenting their black roommate between August and October.

Authorities say the white students taunted the black student with racial slurs, barricaded him in his room and placed a U-shaped bicycle lock around his neck.

The other students have not yet entered pleas. Beaschler is due back in court on March 4.

The alleged incident sparked outrage and demonstrations on campus and led the university to set up a task force that will conduct an independent review.