BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Prosecutors are building their case against the man who is accused of killing two people in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood.
34-year-old Bryan Chiclana pleaded not guilty on Wednesday morning when he was arraigned on an indictment that charged him with one count of Murder in the First Degree and two counts of Murder in the Second Degree.
Authorities say Chiclana broke into a home on St. Louis Place on the morning of March 4 through a basement window. He is then accused of using an object to kill 40-year-old Michael "Mickey" Harmon and 37-year-old Jordan Celotto.
WATCH: Community mourns the loss of Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto
Police responded to the area at 4:30 p.m. for reports of a person with a knife. Investigators say Chiclana cut himself with the knife before he was taken into custody.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, their many friends, and all who have been impacted by this tragic and senseless crime," said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. "As we pursue justice in this case, I hope Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto continue to be remembered for their positive impact on our city's Allentown neighborhood and LGBTQ+ community."
At the hearing, Assistant DA Christopher Safulko addressed the possibility that Chiclana's attorneys, Robert Cutting and Florina Altshiler, could try a psychiatric defense in the case.
“Justice would be best served if that issue is addressed promptly," Safulko said to Erie County Judge William Boller. "Additionally, that notice is what would permit the people to conduct an investigation into those psychiatric defense claims, and I, I don't have the ability to do it unless that notice is filed.”
After court, Keane talked about the potential impact of that. “We don't want there to be any delay in this case as a result of that decision, so that's why we asked the judge to, to order them to comply with the statute."
The judge ordered the defense attorneys to decide on whether they would be raising a psychiatric defense by the next hearing, now scheduled for April 21 at 9:30 a.m.
Chiclana remained held without bail Wednesday.
WATCH: Neighbors on St. Louis Place raise concerns about boarded-up property
