DERRY, N.H. (AP) – Arrest records remained sealed in the case of the Manchester man charged with murder in the death of a Derry man last month.
Christopher Gagne, 25, pleaded not guilty Saturday to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jason Violette, 29.
Authorities initially reported the death was an apparent suicide, and kept word of their investigation private until Gagne’s arrest Friday in Manchester.
Police found Violette, 29, dead at his home on the night of Aug. 12 from a gunshot wound.
Assistant Attorney General Charles Keefe said authorities did not release more information about the killing until Friday to avoid harming their investigation. He said there was no fear that the public was in danger.
Keefe would not comment on a possible motive, or why it took almost a month to make an arrest.
Gagne did not speak during his arraignment in Derry District Court on Saturday.
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