Maine man pleads not guilty in fatal shooting of landlord trying to evict him

BIDDEFORD, Maine (TCD) -- A 31-year-old York County man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to killing his landlord in front of the victim’s pregnant girlfriend.

According to WCSH-TV, on Sept. 14, police responded to 26 Union St. at approximately 3 p.m. and found 31-year-old Douglas Michaud fatally shot. The suspect, Randal J. Hennessey, reportedly fled the scene but was later captured in Durham, N.H., by the U.S. Marshals Maine Violent Offender Task Force.

The Portland Press Herald reports Hennessey lived on the second floor of the apartment building and Michaud on the third. On the day of the shooting, Michaud reportedly saw Hennessey outside the building talking to Michaud’s girlfriend, Jamie Wakefield. Michaud reportedly told Hennessey to leave her alone.

Hennessey allegedly went inside, grabbed a gun, and shot Michaud in the chest. Wakefield tried helping Michaud as Hennessey reportedly went back inside again and then shot Michaud another time in close range.

WMTW-TV reports Wakefield was pregnant and the couple were about to welcome a baby boy. Michaud had reportedly been trying to evict Hennessey for several years.

In addition to the murder indictment, the Portland Press Herald reports Hennessey was also charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

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