AUGUSTA (AP) — A Gardiner man accused of killing and dismembering his father is set to appear in court.

Police say Leroy Smith III killed his father by stabbing him in the neck and using three knives to chop up his body before burying him in the woods. They said the killing occurred inside an apartment Leroy Smith Jr. shared with his son. The younger Smith will appear in Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said Smith’s appearance on Tuesday is a status update on the case. He has entered a not guilty plea.

A police affidavit about the case says the younger Smith said he committed the crime because his father sexually assaulted him throughout his life.

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