FARMINGTON — A Franklin County justice handed down his written decision Thursday to set $150,000 cash bail for a Wilton man accused of shooting to death a New Sharon man June 1 in Wilton.
In addition, Timothy Danforth, 24, must enter into a Maine Pre-Trial Services Contract, according to Justice William Stokes’ decision.
Danforth was indicted by a grand jury Aug. 18 on a charge of intentional or knowing murder. He pleaded not guilty Aug. 19 to shooting Michael Reis, 24, outside of Danforth’s father’s house on Weld Road in Wilton.
The court has reviewed four impounded affidavits written by Detective Jennifer King of the Maine State Police in support of search warrants, Stokes wrote.
“While there may be factual disputes at trial as to the precise circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Reis, at this stage of the proceedings the court is satisfied that the state has met the probable cause standard that a formerly capital offense has been committed,” Stokes continued.
A conviction on the murder charge is punishable by 25 years to life in prison.
Danforth has said the shooting was self-defense, but Reis was shot three times at close range over a debt owed for marijuana involving Danforth’s father, Robert Danforth, Assistant Attorney General Robert “Bud” Ellis said Wednesday in Franklin County Superior Court, according to a Sun Journal article.
Timothy Danforth’s attorney, Sarah Glynn of Paris, said then that the incident involved not only Robert Danforth but also a third party who was not present at the Weld Road home.
Timothy Danforth’s involvement centered on protection of his home and his father, she said.
“He was in fear for his safety,” she said.
According to Glynn, Timothy Danforth has no criminal history.
Police said Reis was part of a group who went to the house and got into a confrontation with the home’s occupants, who included Danforth and his father.
After the shooting, Reis was taken to a Farmington hospital by friends and was pronounced dead there.
In addition to cash bail and a pretrial contract, bail conditions include no use or possession of illegal drugs or dangerous weapons, including firearms, with random search and testing for such use or possession, and contact with certain individuals.
The affidavits in the case will continue to be impounded by court order.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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