BELFAST — A 16-year-old charged with murdering his father in Troy did not enter a plea Friday during his first court appearance since his arrest Wednesday.
Colby Hodgdon was brought into Waldo County District Court in shackles, which the judge immediately ordered removed. He looked straight ahead during the proceedings, answering “yes” when asked whether he wanted the charge against him to be read, and acknowledging that he understood his legal rights.
Hodgdon, handcuffed and wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, red T-shirt, jeans and gray Nike sneakers, was led past photographers and TV news crews into the back entrance of the courthouse shortly after 1 p.m. He swore at photographers as he walked past.
His father, Steven Hodgdon, 49, was found dead at the home he shared with his son on March 7. No details about the investigation were provided during the brief hearing, and court documents in the case have been sealed pending a competency evaluation.
Judge Patricia Worth told a woman seated in the gallery, whom she identified as Hodgdon’s mother and called Ms. Roy, that she would be responsible for filing paperwork to establish her son’s eligibility for a court-appointed attorney. The woman could not be reached for comment at the courthouse.
Hogdon did not appear to attempt to communicate with his mother during the hearing.
Speaking outside the courtroom, defense attorney John Martin confirmed that Colby Hodgdon was Steven Hodgdon’s son.
The judge asked Martin and Aaron Fethke, another attorney, to represent Hodgdon. Both have juvenile case experience.
FATHER FOUND DEAD IN HOME
Steven Hodgdon was found dead at 188 Rutland Road in Troy when Waldo County sheriff’s deputies were called to the home early on the morning of March 7. At the time, police said the elder Hodgdon lived in the house with his teenage son, who was staying with relatives.
The state Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Hodgdon died from a stab wound to the chest, according to police.
Maine State Police arrested Colby Hodgdon in Lewiston on Wednesday and charged him with murder after a nearly month-long investigation, police said.
The Waldo County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed Steven Hodgdon had been charged in March 2014 with an attack on a family member, but details were not available Friday.
“It was a family argument that escalated,” said Lt. Jason Trundy of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.
Hodgdon will remain in detention until a review of his status is requested by the defense or a juvenile community corrections officer, a condition agreed to by both defense attorneys and Assistant Attorney General Leanne Zainea.
In court, Fethke told Worth that the defense will file a motion within the next week for Hodgdon to undergo an evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial.
In an order signed immediately following Friday’s hearing, Worth granted a motion to impound the case until the evaluation is completed.
Outside the courtroom, Martin said he and Fethke had only a short time to review the case and meet with their client.
The team has “a lot to look at and review,” Martin said.
Zainea said she would not answer questions about the case.
A dispositional hearing for Hodgdon has been scheduled for May 1, and the parties have 90 days to file motions in the case.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
