AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — The man suspected of killing Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy Cpl. Eugene Cole last week has been charged with "intentional and knowing murder."
John Williams entered a no plea to the charge and a hearing on bail will be held at a future date, although the temporary release appears highly unlikely.
The judge ordered a forensic mental health evaluation of Williams and a change of venue to Cumberland County, presumably to increase chances of an impartial jury.
NECN reports Williams was extremely quiet answering the judge's questions. An employee of Somerset County in attendance to support Cole's family told NECN the sight of him made her very angry.
Court documents state someone named Chris Williams received a phone call from John Williams at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday; John allegedly told Chris he had shot a deputy in the head. According to the documents, John asked Chris to meet him on Martin Stream Road in Norridgewock.
Cole's body was found at 7:30 a.m. with a gunshot would to the head.
The medical examiner later determined Cole's cause of death was a gunshot wound that perforated his spinal cord.
Williams was taken back to the Maine State Prison where the deputy attorney general said he'll continue to be held.