Pomona College Senior Jared Essig entered a plea of not guilty in court Wednesday to the charge of attempted murder for the stabbing of Professor Frederick Sontag.

Essig appeared in court Monday, but was allowed to delay entering a plea until Wednesday.

He awaits a psychological evaluation that will determine if he is fit to stand trial. Pomona Superior Court Commissioner Wade Olson reduced Essig's bail from $1 million to $550,000 on Monday, and granted a request from Stuart Holmes, Essig's attorney, to delay the student's arraignment until Wednesday morning. Holmes said he wanted to talk to his client before entering a plea.

The Inland Valley Times reports that Essig sat in the jury box, answered to his name and smiled at his parents, who were among the spectators. Professor Sontag continues to recover at home, where doctors advised him to stay in bed for several days after his release from Pomona Valley Medical Center. Sontag is expected to return to the classroom sometime in the next week.