Desean Harrison, 23, of Elmont, charged in fatal stabbing of 33-year-old Jasson Phillips, prosecutors say

A Nassau County judge ordered an Elmont resident accused of fatally stabbing his roommate to be held without bail during an arraignment in Hempstead on Monday, according to court records and the suspect's attorney.

Desean Harrison, 23, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder while appearing before Nassau County Judge Lisa M. Petrocelli, the court papers said.

Nassau County police, meanwhile, identified the man who was fatally stabbed as Jasson Phillips, 33, also of Elmont.

Prosecutors said Harrison stabbed Phillips during an argument at the home they shared on Travis Avenue in Elmont, according to the defendant's attorney, Steven Barnwell of Mineola. Barnwell said Harrison denies the allegation. 

"He has pleaded not guilty because he believes he is not guilty," Barnwell said. 

Officers were called to the home shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday to assist a man who had been stabbed, police said in a news release. Upon arrival, the officers found Phillips, who had been stabbed multiple times, police said.

Witnesses at the scene identified Harrison as the perpetrator who fatally stabbed Phillips, police said. Harrison was arrested without incident.

Phillips was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff, police said.