FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts man has pleaded not guilty to a manslaughter charge in connection with the shooting death of a woman inside his Easton home last year.
Francis Averill, 51, was released on $5,000 bail after his arraignment Monday on one count of manslaughter and two counts of improper storage of a firearm, The Enterprise reported.
Averill is charged in the fatal shooting of Tamra Davidson, 49, of Plymouth, who died on Nov. 6, 2019, after being shot inside a two-family home Averill owns and lived in.
Averill is an electrical contractor and Davidson was his employee.
Averill told investigators that Davidson accidentally shot herself while he slept.
But prosecutors said in court that the evidence, including the angle of the wound, does not support his account.
Averill’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, didn’t present any argument on behalf of his client. He is due back in court on April 1.
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