A Defiance man pleads not guilty in an area courtroom…accused of trying to strangle another man. Leviticus Magitt, 28, faces attempted murder…burglary…and assault. A pretrial hearing is now scheduled for Oct. 20th…bond is set at $250,000 dollars. Prosecutors say Magitt tried to strangle a 20-year-old man on Sept. 10. The incident took place in the victim’s apartment, across the hall from Magitt’s residence in an apartment complex on Rosewood Avenue. The victim was taken to a city hospital, where he was treated and released. Officials note…Magitt and a co-defendant did not break into the apartment, but forced their way in, by pushing on the door.