Brian Rabell, accused in the Oct. 29 stabbing death of Matthew Chew in downtown New London, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in New London Superior Court to accessory to murder.

Rabell, who has retained attorney Thomas C. Simones of Waterford, is the first of six defendants in the case to waive his right to an evidentiary hearing and enter a plea. Judge Patrick J. Clifford sealed the arrest warrant in his case until Jan. 10 and set Rabell's next court date for Jan. 19.

Rabell is one of six teens accused of attacking and killing Chew as the 25-year-old artist and restaurant worker walked home from work. Co-defendants Idris Elahi and Marquis Singleton are both charged with murder while the remaining defendants are being charged as accessories.

Rabell, 18, is being held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center in lieu of a $500,000 bond. The other defendants are being held at the Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire.

Several young people and adults who were in court to support Rabell Wednesday remained quiet during the brief proceeding. Chew's sister was also in court.

The defendants, arraigned together at the lower level court on Broad Street Dec. 1, have been brought in separately over the past week for their initial appearances in the court where major felonies are heard. Matias Perry is scheduled to appear today, and Tyree Bundy is scheduled to appear Friday.