BOSTON -- The Worcester man accused in the fatal beating of his 7-year-old son pleaded not guilty to murder charges on Tuesday after the boy was removed from life support this weekend. A woman had to be removed from the courtroom after an emotional outburst during the arraignment.

Nathaniel Turner, 7, was brought to St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester on Father's Day after a severe beating by his father left the boy unconscious and unresponsive, officials said. He was declared him brain dead last week and removed from life support.

The boy's father, Leslie G. Schuler, 36, and his girlfriend, Tiffany Hyman, 28, both of Worcester, were initially arraigned last week on a series of charges in connection with the alleged beating. On Tuesday, Schuler was charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.

A woman had to be removed from the courtroom after profanity-laced tirade during the arraignment.

"He better not get on his knees and pray. He better not get on his knees," the woman shouted.

Until about two months ago and for much of his life, Nathaniel lived with his grandmother in Alabama, but under a court order, the boy was sent to live with his father for the summer in Worcester.

Schuler was charged last week with four counts of assault and battery on a child with injuries, three counts of assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injuries, assault to murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

There is no evidence that Hyman ever laid a hand on Nathaniel, but because she never stopped the alleged abuse, which her attorney called "disciplining," Hyman and Schuler both were charged.

Hyman was charged last week with two counts of assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injuries. She was held on $50,000 bail.