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Man charged with murder in connection with Forest Avenue shooting seeks bail

Aaron Karp, 47, appeared in front of a judge Friday at the Cumberland County Superior Court.

PORTLAND, Maine — A Naples man accused of killing a woman in July during a shooting on Forest Avenue in Portland is asking for bail while he awaits trial. 

Aaron Karp, 47, appeared in front of a judge Friday at the Cumberland County Superior Court alongside his attorney Verne Paradie. Karp faces one count of intentional or knowing murder of 54-year-old Susan McHugh.  

Karp is being held at the Cumberland County Jail in connection to the fatal shooting on July 30. Four people were brought to the hospital that night with injuries, including McHugh, who died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest. 

"Two years is a long time for someone to sit in jail who has a credible defense," Paradie told the courtroom. 

Portland police Detective Jeffrey Tully took the stand Friday and shared a handful of surveillance video footage taken the night of the shooting. 

One of the videos taken at Westbrook restaurant Brookline Food and Drink shows a handful of people assumed by prosecutors to be affiliated with the motorcycle groups or "gangs" known as "Higher Calling" and "The Outlaws."

In the videos, the state prosecutor and Tully explain the two groups appeared to get into an altercation at Brookline, followed by the shooting on Forest Avenue a few moments later. 

"They all retreated, except his client who fell down, stood up, turned around, and fired nine rounds in the direction of Mrs. McHugh," a state prosecutor said. 

Prosecutors also pointed out several social media posts on Karp's personal Facebook page talking about The Outlaws group, and his alleged association with the group. Prosecutors also argued The Outlaws' connection to criminal activity. 

However, defense attorney Paradie said that any speculation about The Outlaws is untrue, and argues Karp's lack of criminal history and the fact that he turned himself in for arrest should be taken into consideration. 

"Let's be clear, The Outlaws did not start this incident," Paradie told the courtroom. "Just because their name is The Outlaws, is an outlaw. These folks do charity work."

The judge is expected to rule on Karp's bail in the coming weeks. 

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