Man Pleads Not Guilty in Shooting of Minneapolis Protesters

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A 24-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he shot five demonstrators protesting the shooting death of a black man by Minneapolis police in November.

Allen Scarsella of Lakeville faces assault and riot charges in Hennepin County. In a court filing Wednesday, defense attorneys said Scarsella will argue he acted in self-defense.

Prosecutors allege Scarsella and three other men meant to cause trouble on Nov. 23 when they went to an encampment of demonstrators protesting the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark in a confrontation with two white officers. Charges allege Scarsella, who is white, shot and wounded five men.

Scarsella's lawyers argue the men were only filming the protest when they were confronted.

The three other men haven't yet entered pleas to riot charges.