Accused cop killer put in detention cell

The reputed ringleader of the gang accused of killing Det. Peter Figoski has been put in solitary confinement after he got into a scuffle with correction officers on Rikers Island, officials said Tuesday.

Lamont Pride, who police said shot Figoski, 47, during a botched home-invasion robbery in Brooklyn early Dec. 12, refused to comply with orders to submit to a search after a routine medical exam on Monday, according to officials.

"While this matter is currently under review, the preliminary report indicates that he elbowed one Correction Officer in the face; when a second Officer came to the first Officer's assistance, Pride elbowed him as well," Correction Department spokeswoman Sharman Stein said in a statement. "The officers subdued the inmate, resolving the situation quickly. The inmate sustained a mild abrasion to his face requiring no medical intervention."

Pride and his co-defendants -- Kevin Santos, Nelson Moralez, Ariel Tejada and Michael Velez -- were in court Tuesday afternoon where they entered not-guilty pleas through their lawyers to a murder indictment before Brooklyn State Supreme Court Judge Barry Kamins.

At a news conference earlier, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said he would refuse to plea bargain the case.

"There will be a trial," he said.

The five were formally indicted Friday on murder and related charges. Pride, 27, faces the most serious charges of first-degree murder of a police officer and aggravated murder, facing a maximum sentence of life without parole, Hynes said.

The others were charged with second-degree murder and face 25 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.