Lover Pleads Not Guilty in Journalist Murder

Renato Seabra, the young man accused of murdering and castrating gay Portuguese journalist Carlos Castro, pleaded not guilty in a New York City courtroom on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was romantically involved with Castro, who was 65, but he claims that he attacked the older man to rid himself of "homosexual demons," the New York Daily News reports.

Renato attacked Castro on January 7 in the Hotel InterContinental in Times Square.

"The ultra-violence dragged on for a full hour, according to court papers," reports the Daily News. "An argument turned physically violent and Seabra grabbed Castro from behind, by the neck, and dragged him to the floor, choking him, the papers revealed.

"He stabbed Carlos with a corkscrew in the groin area and the face," according to the papers. "(He) cut off Carlos's testicles with the corkscrew."

Renato was arrested soon after and placed under psychiatric care. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 4.