James Dixon has rejected a plea offer of 12 years in prison if he pleads guilty. Now he will face up to 25 years behind bars if convicted of beating Islan Nettles to death on a trial that starts today.

Dixon came forward after police at first had detained Paris Wilson on a charge of assault. Dixon had fled the scene of the assault on Nettles, which was right outside a police precinct in Harlem.

Dixon admitted killing Nettles in a 2013 interview with police.