GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A man accused in the killing of 35-year-old Christopher Hairston has pleaded not guilty to murder and several other charges in connection with a series of criminal acts earlier this year. Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, entered the plea Wednesday in Franklin Superior Court where he faces charges of murder, two counts of malicious destruction of property, three counts of assault and battery, two counts of kidnapping, and one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal. According to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office, the murder charge stems from the discovery of Hairston’s decomposed body in April at Herberger-Brown’s apartment on Chapman Street in Greenfield. Hairston, formerly of Pittsfield and Greenfield, was found dead on April 22 during a welfare check by Greenfield Police. Investigators tracked Herberger-Brown to Albany, New York, where he was arrested and later returned to Massachusetts to face charges. Due to the condition of Hairston’s body, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner could not determine the exact cause of death. The other charges against Herberger-Brown relate to separate incidents earlier in 2024. The assault and battery and kidnapping charges involve another victim and allegedly occurred in February at the same apartment. The malicious destruction charges are connected to property damage inside his apartment and a laundry room in March and April. Herberger-Brown was held without bail. A bail hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025. Local News Headlines Mass Clean Energy Week brought EVs to a Palmer racetrack DCR names new Indigenous Peoples partnership coordinator The American Cancer Society’s VOICES of Black Women study launched in Massachusetts Brushfire risk persists in Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.