Utah Man Who Allegedly Recorded Friend's Suicide Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Tyerell Przybycien, the 18-year-old Utah man accused of encouraging his high school friend to hang herself — and then recorded her doing so near Salt Lake City — pleaded not guilty to murder Tuesday, court records indicated.

Death fascinated Przybycien, who even told a friend that helping her kill herself would be "like getting away with murder," prosecutors said.

Przybycien bought a rope and tied the noose for the 16-year-old girl, who hanged herself in May, prosecutors said.

Defense attorneys argued the girl left suicide notes showing she made the choice herself, and Przybycien's role did not amount to murder.

A judge last week called the case unusual and said allegations Przybycien was deeply involved with the suicide were strong enough to warrant a murder charge.

The two drove on May 5 to a canyon about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City, where they tied the rope to a tree and fashioned a makeshift platform of rocks and wood underneath the tree.

Jchandra Brown stood on the platform with the rope around her neck while Przybycien recorded a cellphone video of her inhaling compressed air from a canister, giggling and stepping off the platform, officials have said.

Authorities found a receipt showing Przybycien bought the rope and a phone containing the recording. While detectives were investigating, Przybycien showed up at the scene crying.

He has been jailed since his arrest.

Photo credit: Scott Sommerdorf /The Salt Lake Tribune via AP