Penn State student David W. Cassada, who allegedly admitted to attacking two women in residence halls in July and another woman downtown in October, pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment yesterday, his attorney said.

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said it is not unusual for people who confessed to plead not guilty at their formal arraignments and then change their plea later. Arraignment is simply the time for attorneys to begin formal paperwork on the case, he said.

According to court documents, Cassada, 22, of Cheswick, admitted to police that he was involved in all three incidents for which he was arrested. He was arrested Nov. 1 by the State College Police Department for allegedly attacking a woman on Oct. 28 by throwing a blanket over her head and hitting her repeatedly in a stairwell. Penn State University Police then filed charges against Cassada for allegedly entering two separate dorm rooms and attacking the women inside on July 11.

Cassada's attorney, William Stockey, said he will ask a judge at a hearing next week to release Cassada from prison so he can be transferred to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hospital for medical treatment.

At Cassada's Nov. 18 preliminary hearing, Stockey asked District Judge Thomas Jordan to lower Cassada's bail to allow his parents to take him to Pittsburgh to be treated for "alcoholism and mental illness."

Cassada's bail was originally set at $200,000, $50,000 and $75,000 straight bail for each incident. Jordan reduced the bail to $200,000 straight bail and unsecured amounts for the other two incidents.

Stockey said he is seeking to have Cassada released from prison so he can receive the treatment that he needs and get a medical explanation to what happened.

Cassada was charged with simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person and harassment in connection with the alleged residence hall assaults. He is also charged with simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person and harassment in connection with the alleged attack at University Gateway apartments.

Stockey said it is fortunate none of the victims was seriously hurt and that Cassada did not intend to harm anyone. In the case of the July incidents, Cassada only meant to steal $20, Stockey said.

Cassada allegedly entered two unlocked dorm rooms July 11 while the occupants were sleeping. Both women woke up to find an unknown man who held them down on their beds and placed his hand over their mouths, according to court documents.

One of the women testified money was missing from her purse after a man ran from the room, according to court documents.

Stockey added that Cassada has no violent history and Cassada's parents are "speechless" about their son's arrest.