FARMINGTON – A Wilton man was arraigned on the charge of murder today in Franklin County Superior Court, in relation to a shooting incident which occurred in June.
It was the first court appearance of Timothy Danforth, 24, of Wilton, since a Franklin County grand jury indicted him on one count of murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault earlier this week. Danforth was arrested on Thursday, with the indictment alleging that Danforth “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of Michael Reis ….”
Appearing in court with attorney Christopher Berryment, who was serving as lawyer of the day, Danforth pleaded not guilty in answer to Justice William Stokes’ request for a plea on the murder charge. Attorney Sarah Glynn of South Paris has been appointed to represent Danforth going forward.
The state has requested a Harnish bail hearing be held. A Harnish hearing is required to deny bail in a case involving a murder charge. By law, the defendant is entitled to a Harnish hearing within five days of arrest, however, Danforth has agreed to continue the hearing until his counsel is prepared to argue the matter.
In the meantime, Danforth will be held without bail.
Danforth’s indictment and ensuing arrest comes more than two months after a New Sharon man, Michael Reis, 23, was shot outside a residence at 259 Weld Road in Wilton in the early morning hours of June 1. According to police, at approximately 12:45 a.m. an individual called 9-1-1 to report a shooting. Reis was transported by friends to Franklin Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to a statement released by McCausland Thursday, police now believe that Reis was part of a group of people that went to the Weld Road residence and got into a confrontation with Danforth and his father, who lived at the residence. Further details about the nature of that confrontation have not yet been made available.
Theres gotta be more to this. A gang shows up at someone’s house at 12:45, an altercation ensues, and someone gets shot. This has drugs or self defense written all over it. I wonder which.
Bryan, they haven’t released very many details at this point, which definitely leaves you to wonder. I think you’re spot on with your remark.
I think so, too
Speculate all you want but this isn’t an episode of CSI where you discover details as they are investigated. The truth will come out at trial, which is usually what happens in the real world.