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Man accused of documenting woman's killing pleads not guilty

Brian Steven Smith looks out in the courtroom while waiting for his arraignment to start Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. A public defender entered not guilty pleas for Smith, who is accused of documenting the assault and murder of Kathleen Henry in an Anchorage hotel. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A man accused of documenting the killing of a woman on a camera memory card has pleaded not guilty.

Brian Steven Smith didn't speak during an arraignment that lasted about a minute Wednesday. A public defender entered his pleas for him.

Smith faces charges of murder, sexual assault and evidence tampering in the death of 30-year-old Kathleen Henry.

Her body was found near the highway south of Anchorage Oct. 2. A few days earlier, a woman walking in Anchorage found a memory card titled, "Homicide at midtown Marriott." Police say the card had 39 photos and 12 videos. The videos show a man beating and strangling a woman, telling her to die and laughing.

The man's accent on the tapes helped lead police to Smith, who is from South Africa.