AUGUSTA, Maine — David Marble Jr. of Rochester, New York, was formally charged with murder today in connection with the shooting deaths of a Maine couple whose bodies were found inside an SUV in Manchester, Maine, on Christmas Day.
Marble faces lengthy mandatory sentences if convicted.
Marble, 29, answered with brief "yes" or "no" responses during his initial court appearance in Augusta, where he was charged with two counts of murder.
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy explained the charges and the potential terms of imprisonment to Marble.
"So the mandatory minimum on each charge Mr. Marble is essentially 29 years in prison — I also want to make sure that you understand that the court, if you are convicted of both of these charges could run these sentences consecutive to one another because there are two alleged victims here," Murphy says. "Do you understand that sir?"
Marble is charged in what police are describing as the drug-related killings of Eric Williams, 35, and Bonnie Royer, 26, both of Augusta.
Few details have been released by police or the attorney general's office about the case since Marble's arrest on Tuesday. He reportedly knew both victims and had posted the phrase "Forgive me GOD FOR I HAVE SIN. Spiritus Sancti" on his Facebook page two days after the killings.
A police affidavit submitted to the court in connection with Marble's arrest was impounded at the request of the attorney general's office.
The court appointed Waterville attorney Pamela Ames to represent Marble, who Ames says is at the beginning of a lengthy legal process.
"So he has his initial appearance today, the next step is that the attorney general's office will be presenting this to Kennebec County grand jury," Ames says. "They'll probably do that within the next 30-60 days and then this process starts over, but with an indictment and an arraignment day."
Marble is being held without bail pending further court proceedings.