New Hartford man accused of beating his girlfriend to death at SUNY Brockport pleads not guilty

Rochester (13WHAM-TV/WSYR-TV) - The man charged in the beating death of a SUNY Brockport freshman pleaded not guilty Thursday to second-degree murder.

Police say 21-year-old Utica College student Clayton Whittemore killed his girlfriend, 18-year-old Alex Kogut, in her dorm room last month.

According to police statements, Whittemore said he “just snapped” after the two had been arguing and beat her to death.

Family members of both Whittemore and Kogut were in court for Thursday's hearing.

Whittemore remains in jail without bail.