Alleged subway attackers plead not guilty to No. 6 train stabbing

An alleged subway stabber accused of plunging a knife into a straphanger on Sunday pleaded not guilty to felony riot and assault charges Monday.

Starmeik Driggins, 19, is charged with swinging a knife into a 63-year-old subway rider's shoulder just after 6 a.m. Sunday on a downtown No. 6 train after cops say he asked a group of rowdy girls to "quiet down." A judge set her bail at $15,000.

Ralph Carnegary, a Vietnam vet, reportedly received seven stitches.

An unidentified witness was able to hold back five other "shouting and cursing" girls, according to court documents, as they also tried to attack the man as the train was pulling into the 23rd Street station. Cops arrested the girls at the station and said they found a knife at the scene.

Four of the teens pleaded not guilty Monday to misdemeanor riot, assault and disorderly conduct charges. One underage girl allegedly involved in the scuffle faced a family court judge, but details of the appearance were unavailable at press time.

Seventeen-year-old Martha Bermudez had her bail set at $5,000 bond, and Michelle Rodriguez, 19, had bail set at $1,000. Bail for Sheyla Figuerola, 18, and Sha-steva Burdos, 17, is $1,500 bond.

A judge ordered Driggins and the four other alleged attackers to return to court on Friday.

The Manhattan district attorney's office did not pursue charges against two other alleged attackers. A spokeswoman for the office declined to explain why that was last night.