BELFAST — The man accused of murdering his former friend in Lincolnville Jan. 5, will learn if he is eligible for bail at a proceeding scheduled for Feb. 6.  

Matthew W. Pendleton, 47, was arraigned in Waldo County Superior Court Jan. 10, charged with intentional or knowing or depraved indifference murder following the death of Kevin Curit, 47, who reportedly lived with Pendleton at the time of his murder. 

Members of Curit’s family reportedly had to be removed from the courtroom during Pendleton’s arraignment following an outburst of emotion. 

According to a Jan. 7 affidavit in support of a 48-hour hold, Maine State Police reported responding to the residence, at 54 Thorndike Road on Jan. 6, to investigate a suspicious death. 

An autopsy revealed Curit’s cause of death was ligature strangulation, in addition to blunt force trauma. 

Pendleton, who was located on Hope Road, reportedly told troopers that he and Curit had been up all night drinking. He was arrested for murder. 

Attorney Jeremy Pratt, of Camden, has been assigned as Pendleton’s public defender. 

Pendleton’s Harnish bail proceeding will determine if he is eligible for bail. Maine law states that a Harnish bail proceeding must be held when a person is suspected of a capital offense. 

According to Maine law:

“Evidence presented at a Harnish bail proceeding may include testimony, affidavits and other reliable hearsay evidence as permitted by the court. If, after the hearing, the court finds probable cause to believe that the defendant has committed a formerly capital offense, it shall issue an order under subsection 3. If, after the hearing, the court does not find probable cause to believe that the defendant's alleged criminal conduct was formerly a capital offense, it shall issue an order under section 1026 and may amend its bail order.”

Pendleton is currently being held without bail. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com