News

Mental health evaluation ordered in Maine homicide case


LIMINGTON, Maine (AP) A Maine judge on Friday ordered a mental health evaluation for a man charged in the deaths of two people whose bodies were found by firefighters responding to a fire.

Matthew Cote, 21, of Limington, made his first appearance in York County Superior Court on Friday. He faces two counts of murder stemming from the deaths. The judge identified the victims as Cheryl Cote and Daniel Perkins.

Cote has been held without bail since his Thursday arrest, the Portland Press Herald reported. He was not required to enter a plea during the hearing and barely spoke during it. Cote did say he understood the charges against him.

Cote’s attorney, Thomas Connolly, requested the mental health evaluation.

Investigators have said they don’t believe the fire caused the deaths. Autopsies were scheduled for Friday. Police have said they believe Matthew Cote lived at the house, but would not say how he is connected to the victims.

Latest Headlines

10 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in rigged poker games case

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he profited from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures and at least one other ex-NBA player.

11 hours ago in Local

Family Mourns the Death of a Rockland Child Who Was Killed By A Bus

Friends of Callahan made a memorial for him at the same intersection where he was struck by the bus.

11 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Stores keep prices down in a tough year for turkeys. Other Thanksgiving foods may cost more

The shrinking turkey population amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak is expected to cause wholesale turkey prices to rise 44% this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite the increase, many stores are offering discounted or even free turkeys to soften the potential blow to Thanksgiving meal budgets.

14 hours ago in Local

Avangrid Hydropower Project Gets Final Maine Permit Despite Losing Referendum

The project is slated to supply up to 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to the New England power grid.

21 hours ago in Local

Maine Farmers Eligible for Emergency Loans Due to Drought

The designation allows the USDA to extend emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters.