FARMINGTON – A Wilton man pleaded not guilty Friday to shooting a New Sharon man to death June 1.

Timothy Danforth, 24, is charged with intentional or knowing murder of Michael Reis, 24, outside of Danforth’s father’s house on Weld Road in Wilton.

Danforth, who was indicted by a grand jury Thursday, occasionally wiped tears from his eyes as he sat to the side of the courtroom waiting to go before Justice William Stokes in Franklin County Superior Court.

Family members for Danforth and Reis sat in the courtroom.

Stokes said the charge of murder is punishable by 25 years to life in prison. He ordered Danforth held without bail until a hearing can be held to determine if bail should be set or not.

Maine Assistant Attorney General Robert “Bud” Ellis requested the hearing.

The hearing should be held within five court days, but defense attorney Christopher Berryment asked that it be continued day-to-day so that newly appointed defense attorney Sarah Glynn can review the case.

No affidavit was filed with the court as of Friday.

Reis was part of a group of people who went to Danforth’s father’s house and got into a confrontation with the home’s occupants, that included Danforth and his father, according to a news release from Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Reis was taken by friends to a Farmington hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As they left the courtroom, a couple of Danforth’s relatives said the shooting was self-defense, however they declined to speak to a reporter.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net