Accused pipe bomber arraigned

Jose Pimentel, the Manhattan man charged with trying to build a pipe bomb to attack targets in New York City, pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Tuesday in state court.

Pimentel, 27, is charged under a seldom used state antiterrorism law with conspiracy and weapons possession.

Federal officials, who typically prosecute terror cases, declined to be involved with Pimentel because of concerns about the role played by an NYPD informant.

A lawyer for Pimentel said after the hearing that his defense team is confident a jury will "see the case for what it is."

The defense lawyers have argued that police manipulated Pimentel.

Pimentel's next court hearing was scheduled for April 17.