NEW YORK: - A Pakistani man accused of killing his daughter because she wanted out of an arranged marriage has told a judge that he had done nothing wrong, according to media reports. Authorities allege that 54-year-old Chaudhry Rashid argued with his daughter, Sandeela Kanwal, then choked her to death. The homicide occurred just at the family house in Jonesboro in the State of Georgia over the weekend. Rashid was placed in the Clayton County Jail. According to a police report, Ms. Kanwal was forced into an arranged marriage in Pakistan a few years ago. Police say Ms. Kanwal wanted to leave her husband, which angered her father. Police say Kanwal's husband now lives in Chicago. A somber and tearful Rashid made his first court appearance of Jonesboro, Georgia, on Tuesday, the reports said. He was advised through an Urdu interpreter of the murder charge and his legal rights. A judge also admonished Rashid to not make any statements without clearing them with his attorney. "My client is going through a difficult time. As you can imagine, he is distraught," attorney Tammi Long said after the hearing. When asked about Rashid's comments in court, Ms. Long said her next move was to speak with him in depth. "We will work diligently to provide the best defence for our client against these charges," she said. Court records indicate that a preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for July 24.