TROY, N.Y. -- The Troy man accused in the death of his 4-month-old son was arraigned in Rensselaer County Court Monday morning. Adrian Thomas, 26, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

Annie Pearl Black traveled from Georgia to support her son.

"He's a good boy," she said. "He's gentle. He's easy. Everyone at home knows he's a good boy."

Though she didn't attend her grandson Matthew's funeral, she has been at both of her son's court appearances. Thomas was originally facing an attempted murder charge when the child was hospitalized with severe brain injuries. But the baby was taken off life support and died last Tuesday night, and the charge was upgraded to murder.

Black said, "I don't know, but I know he didn't do what they say he did."

Defense Attorney Jerry Frost said, "We dispute here and we dispute now that Adrian Thomas caused the death of that boy. Give him his day in court. Presume him to be innocent."

Thomas wrote a lengthy police statement detailing the events surrounding his son's death. In it, he admitted to violently throwing the 4-month-old into his crib, and then waiting two days before calling for help. But now, his public defender says that statement was coerced.

Frost said, "Is it a voluntary statement when you've got two or three cops on you? You call that voluntary? And you've just heard your son has died, and they're saying, well, if it's not you it's your wife - you call that voluntary?"

Thomas' wife has yet to be charged with anything in connection with the infant's death, but the prosecution said they won't rule it out.

Rensselaer County District Attorney Richard McNally said, "The investigation will continue. We'll keep on continuing and make our decision as the case goes forward."

The couple's six other children are now in foster care.