PORTLAND, Maine — A Naples man accused of murdering a woman during a shooting on Forest Avenue in Portland is asking for bail as he awaits trial.
Aaron Karp, 47, appeared in front of a judge Friday at the Cumberland County Superior Court alongside his attorney Verne Paradie.
"Two years is a long time for someone to sit in jail who has a credible defense," Paradie told the courtroom.
Karp is currently being held at the Cumberland County Jail in connection to the July 30 shooting that injured four people. One of those people, 54-year-old Susan McHugh, died after being shot in the chest according to a state prosecutor.
Taking the stand, Portland Police Detective Jeffrey Tully shared a handful of surveillance video footage taken on 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 a part of 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.
