The man accused of engaging in a street fight with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security team appeared in court again on Wednesday morning.
Tony Shervaughn Phillips and his defense attorney entered a plea of not guilty in connection to the brawl that played out near the city’s Tenderloin last Thursday.
Court documents say Phillips allegedly became argumentative and stepped towards the mayor after Lurie stopped to ask why he and others were in the middle of the street, which prompted security detail to step in.
Phillips’ defense attorney presented a contrasting perspective in the courtroom, urging the judge to reassess the defendant’s detention during the proceedings.
The district attorney’s office asked for Phillips to stay in custody because they claim he is a public safety risk.
The defense said Phillips became argumentative—not combative—after the mayor told him and others to “move along.”
NBC Bay Area’s Ginger Conejero Saab has the full report in the video above.