A Lewiston man has denied a murder charge stemming from the death of another man who was dropped off at a hospital where he later died.
Jerry Thibodeau appeared in court via videoconference on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty.
The victim, Anthony Ayotte, was dropped off at the emergency department of St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston on Nov. 3, 2023. He succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
That same day, state homicide detectives conducted interviews and gathered evidence, leading to an arrest warrant for Thibodeau.
Around 5 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2023, Lewiston police located Thibodeau at a home on Sabattus Street, where he refused to surrender. He was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police.
Police said Thibodeau and Ayotte knew one another.
At the time of the Ayotte’s death, Thibodeau was out on bail after being previously charged with seven criminal offenses, including aggravated drug trafficking, assault and illegal possession of a firearm.
Ayotte’s cause of death has not been released.
