Lawyer: Man Charged In Shooting Death Of 12-Year-Old Hempstead Girl 'Didn't Do It'

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An alleged gang member was formally charged Tuesday in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old Long Island girl.

Jakwan Keller, 20, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the shooting death of 12-year-old Dejah Joyner, who authorities said was struck and killed by a stray bullet in her own home last October.

The seventh grader was helping serve dinner when a bullet smashed through her front window and struck her in the head, police said. She died the next day.

Attorney Bruce Barket insists his client is not guilty.

"He didn't do it," Barket said. "It's not all that complicated. Somebody else fired a gun that shot that girl."

"Does he know who did it?" WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs asked.

"No," Barket replied.

Once newly presented evidence is reviewed, Barket said his client will be exonerated.

"The police have kind of a half a story, but not the complete story and they have the players wrong," Barket said. "We look forward to going through that evidence to help determine who actually killed this young girl."

It's been alleged that the shooting was an apparent retaliation to the theft of a hoverboard and that the victim's brother was the intended target, Xirinachs reported.

Keller continues to be held without bail.

"He's been incarcerated unjustly," Barket said. "It's a difficult time for him and it's a difficult time for his family."

Keller is due back in court in March.