The only young man still charged with the burglary of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church -- a crime that played out in the controversy around its charismatic leader -- was in court Tuesday to announce that he is innocent.
Anthony Boyd, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and a tie, stood when his name was called in DeKalb County Superior Court but his attorney, David Fife, spoke for him. Boyd was surrounded by friends and family.
After the brief court appearance, Fife said, "Mr. Boyd maintains his innocence" and he hopes to show that at trial.
Boyd was a security guard at the mega church and prosecutors say he used that position to facilitate a burglary of roughly $100,000 in jewelry and electronics from Bishop Eddie Long's office inside the church on June 12, 2010.
Boyd and Maurice Robinson were arrested about 10 days later.
Facing felony charges, Robinson and Boyd were offered entry into a pre-trial diversion program in exchange for having the cases dismissed. Robinson accepted the offer but Boyd did not.
Fife did not know when the case will be tried.
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