WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) — A Hopkinton man has been charged with manslaughter after another man was killed by fireworks earlier this year. Richard Murray, 40, was indicted by the R.I. Attorney General's Office on the felony charge, according to Westerly police. On May 12, police said 39-year-old David Ziegenfuss and others were messing around with fireworks at a home on Pound Road when a mortar-style firework was put on his head and set off. That type of firework is illegal in Rhode Island. Court documents obtained by 12 News say responding officers found a man and a woman performing CPR on Ziegenfuss, who was suffering from severe injuries to his head. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Witnesses said Ziegenfuss had been lighting off fireworks that evening and was "adamant about shooting a mortar off his head," according to the court documents. "[Murray] said Ziegenfuss placed two floor tiles on top of his head, believing they would function as safety shield," the court documents said. "Ziegenfuss then placed loaded mortar tube on top of the tiles and Murray lit the fuse with a lit cigarette. Murray said that he did not want to partake in this but was continuously egged on by Ziegenfuss to light the fuse for him." Police say Murray admitted to "lighting the fuse at the request of Ziegenfuss, while acknowledging it was a bad idea and mistake." Murray pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Oct. 4. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW