AUGUSTA — A Gardiner man has been jailed on terrorizing charges for allegedly threatening to get a gun and shoot Gov. Paul LePage “between the eyes.”
Richard Lee Andrews, 40, also told staff at Kennebec Behavioral Health that he was familiar with the governor’s routine and how his bodyguards work, according to court affidavit by Maine State Police Detective Angela Kooistra.
“He indicated he did not have a gun but could easily obtain one and that he would wait for a day that wasn’t too rainy because humidity makes bullets travel differently and he ‘wants to make sure he gets him right between the eyes,'” Kooistra wrote.
The threat was made on Thursday during a meeting with therapists and a psychiatric evaluator, according to the complaint.
Andrews, a large man with a mustache, made an initial court appearance Friday via video in Augusta District Court. Judge Susan Sparaco ordered him to undergo a competency examination, which was requested by the state.
Sparaco set bail at $10,000 cash, with conditions that Andrews refrain from alcohol and illegal drugs and that he take all his medication as prescribed. He is also banned from having weapons and from being on the west side of Augusta, where the governor’s residence, known as the Blaine House, is located.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Peterson had requested bail be set at $100,000 worth of property or $25,000 cash and asked for the geographic limitation, saying Andrews can access all the services he needs on the east side of Augusta.
“The affidavit shows a fairly detailed and thought-out plan about how to shoot the governor,” Peterson said.
Lisa Whittier, a defense attorney, requested bail at $5,000 unsecured with Andrews being placed under house arrest. She said the jail was refusing to give Andrews his prescribed medications — listing about eight of them. She said his medical problems could escalate without the proper medicines.
Sparaco rejected that, asking, “Who can monitor house arrest?”
Peterson said the charge was a misdemeanor rather than a felony because Andrews did not actually possess a gun.
Whittier also objected to Andrews having to undergo a mental examination. “It’s not obvious to me that Mr. Andrews is incompetent,” she said.
Sparaco set a trial for May 8.
In February 2011, Leroy Eugene Dunn, a former Canaan man who had been an inmate at the Piscataquis County jail, pleaded guilty to terrorizing for threatening LePage and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
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