A Biddeford man accused of killing his landlord in front of the victim’s pregnant girlfriend has been found guilty of murder.
A York County jury deliberated for about an hour on Monday before finding Randal Hennessey guilty of one count of knowing or intentional murder in the death of 31-year-old Douglas Michaud in September 2021, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Michaud was Hennessey’s landlord and was trying to evict him, according to court documents.
According to an affidavit, Michaud’s pregnant girlfriend called police in September 2021 and reported her boyfriend had been shot.
Police said they found Michaud’s body on the front porch of the Union Street apartment building.
The affidavit stated Michaud’s girlfriend told police she had encountered Hennessey in the vestibule of the building where they live and he “appeared confrontational.”
When the two started exchanging words, Michaud arrived and told Hennessey to leave his girlfriend alone. Neighbors said they heard yelling.
According to the affidavit, Hennessey went upstairs to his residence, while the couple went out to the front porch.
That’s when Michaud’s girlfriend heard Hennessey say “Doug” as she observed Hennessey emerge onto the porch and shoot Michaud in the chest several times with a handgun.
Police said when they arrived on scene the victim’s girlfriend told officers several times that “Randy shot him! Randy shot him!”
According to court documents, Hennessey had fled the scene on a motorcycle and was arrested hours later in Durham, New Hampshire.
Hennessey rejected multiple plea deals ahead of the trial.
He is expected to be sentenced in late August or September.
