Brian Shaw, the Syracuse University student arrested Wednesday night in connection with the death of Chiarra Seals, the mother of his child, pled not guilty at his arraignment Friday afternoon.

Shaw’s case will now go before a grand jury.

Shaw is currently a senior enrolled in Syracuse University through University College. He is also a member of the SU cheerleading squad and a member the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

Shaw orally confessed to killing Seals after he turned himself in to Syracuse police Wednesday night, Deputy Police Chief Gary Miguel said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Syracuse police were called to Seals’ home Wednesday evening at 160 Jasper St. after a neighbor noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in the driveway, Miguel said. When police arrived at the scene they found Seals’ 4-year-old daughter and 17-month-old son unattended in the home.

Seals’ daughter told police her ‘daddy,’ whom she referred to as Brian, came into the house and had a physical fight with Seals in Seals’ bedroom, Miguel said.

Seals’ daughter said she saw Shaw leave the house with Seals’ body wrapped in a blanket, Miguel said.

The autopsy of Seals’ body showed the cause of death was strangulation by a rope or cord, according to Sgt. Tom Connellan of Syracuse Police.

Police found Seals’ cell phone with Shaw’s name in the contacts list in Seals’ home. Police also found a photograph with a caption saying it was taken by an SU student. Police called the student, who said he was a friend of Shaw, Miguel said.

Syracuse police began to track down Shaw after learning this information, but the department received a call from him, Miguel said. Shaw’s friend had already contacted him saying police were looking for him, Miguel said.

Shaw told police he brought Seals’ body back to his home at 545 Columbus Ave., where he stuffed it into a suitcase, Miguel said. He then dumped the suitcase behind the garage at 112 Avondale Place, Miguel said.

Connellan said there is no connection between Shaw and the residence at 112 Avondale Place.

Police found the suitcase containing Seals’ body Thursday morning at 112 Avondale Place where Shaw said he had left it, Miguel said.

Miguel said Shaw also told police the car that was left at Seals’ home was one he had borrowed from his friend, another SU student.

Police are unsure if Shaw was invited into Seals’ home the night of her death or if he forced his way in.

‘This could’ve been a burglary,’ Connellan said. ‘There was evidence of forced entry.’

Marlene Hall, Director of Public Safety, said this is the only case she is aware of in which an SU student was charged with such a serious crime.

‘This is a very difficult day for everyone involved,’ she said.

Published on March 27, 2005 at 12:00 pm