Long Island Man Charged In Mother's Death Faces Judge

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Long Island man accused of killing his mother by allegedly drowning her in their backyard swimming pool faced a judge on Tuesday.

Denis Cullen, 23, pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his mother, 63-year-old Elizabeth Cullen, whose body was found outside her home in Cold Spring Harbor on Aug. 17.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Biancavilla told the judge the evidence against Cullen "is overwhelming."

He said not only did Cullen drown his mother in the pool, he also strangled her and when her lifeless body was found, it was covered in bruises, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Authorities previously said they have a video confession in which Cullen admitted to fighting with his mother that morning after she scolded him for not taking his medication.

Cullen's attorney wants a psychiatric evaluation of his client.