The Albuquerque Public Schools educational assistant accused of murdering his fiance says he is not guilty.

Jeremiah Lopez, 37, is accused of strangling his fiance last month, then assaulting her after the crime. Police say he also tried to kill himself.

In a criminal complaint officers say Lopez confessed to his crime, but in district court Friday he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

Lopez will stay locked up until trial after a previous judge granted the state’s motion for pre-trial detention.

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