Maine Man Claims Insanity in Shooting Death

BELFAST, Maine (AP) — A 44-year-old Maine man is using an insanity defense on charges he fatally shot a woman and seriously wounded her son in a late-night attack at the woman’s Belfast home.

Stockbyte

Todd Gilday of Belfast pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Wednesday in Waldo County Superior to charges of murder, attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault.

Gilday, who’s from Belfast, is accused of forcing himself into the home on Aug. 28 and killing 55-year-old Lynn Arsenault and wounding her 22-year-old son, Mathew Day.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Justice Robert Murray ordered a mental evaluation for Gilday, as requested by the prosecutor.

Police have not revealed a motive for the shooting. They've said Gilday was acquainted with Day, but it’s unclear if he knew Arsenault.