The 21-year-old Kalihi man, charged with stabbing another man of the steps of administration building of McKinley High School earlier this month, entered a plea of not guilty this morning at his Circuit Court arraignment.

Axery Thomas, of Kukui Gardens, is charged with second-degree attempted murder of Akapito Rafael on July 9. His Circuit Court trial is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 30. He is being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center unable to post bail of $50,000.

Police said Rafael, 43, was stabbed in his back, left arm and right side of his chest. The suspect had been sitting next to Rafael on the steps of the McKinley High School administration building on South King Street. A small knife was found at the scene, police said. While being treated by paramedics Rafael identified the suspect as the man who stabbed him.