Frank James has pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges, other charges include New York subway shooting

Frank James filed the plea in federal court in Brooklyn, where U.S. District Judge William F. Kuntz started the case by asking James, “How are you today?”

“Pretty good,” James replied.

When asked about his educational background, James said he attended public schools in the Bronx before earning a GED. He said he also attended some trade schools.

James, 62, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transit system and firing a firearm during a violent crime. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The defendant was arrested on April 13, about 30 hours after authorities said he drove from Philadelphia and fired smoke bombs and dozens of bullets on a train full of morning commuters as he approached a Brooklyn train station. The victims of the shooting ranged in age from 16 to 60; all survived.

Authorities said James’s bank card, cell phone and a key to a van he rented were found at the scene. Police also said they found the 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistol used in the shooting and traced it back to James.

Defense attorney Mia Eisner-Grynberg had warned against seeking judgment at the time of James’ arrest, noting that James had alerted police to his whereabouts. He was arrested in Manhattan’s East Village after phoning a phone line that he was at a fast food restaurant in that part of town.

Eisner-Grynberg declined to comment in court Friday.

A motive for the attack is unclear. In numerous tirades he posted on YouTube, James, who is black, made bigoted remarks about people from all backgrounds and railed against New York Mayor Eric Adams and complained about the psychiatric care he received in the city years earlier .

James, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to appear in court again on July 25.