MACHIAS (AP) – A 25-year-old Machias man charged with a double murder in Marshfield made his initial court appearance by video conference Thursday after authorities expressed concern for his safety.

Richard Widdecomb Jr. entered no plea to charges arising from the fatal shootings of his former girlfriend Katie Cabana, 29, of Marshfield, and her friend, Aaron Settipani, 41, of Eastport.

Cabana’s 6-year-old daughter, Autumn Rodgers, suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and was being treated in a Bangor hospital.

Washington County Sheriff Donnie Smith said Widdecomb’s court appearance in Superior Court was made by video in order to protect him.

Widdecombe admitted to the shootings, according to an affidavit filed by a Maine State Police detective. The suspect told police he arrived Wednesday morning at Cabana’s home on Route 192 armed with a rifle and several cartridges and got into an argument with Cabana when she and Settipani came downstairs.

The detective said Widdecombe shot Cabana in the back and then fired several rounds at Settipani while he was in his Jeep. Widdecomb said he then went back in the house, fired another shot at Cabana and accidentally hit Autumn with a stray bullet.

Cabana’s two sons, ages 5 and 9, were in the home at the time but were not injured. They were placed with relatives.

Widdecomb was ordered held without bail in the county jail pending a hearing, tentatively set for Feb. 4. Smith said the defendant had no significant criminal history.

The homicides were Maine’s first in 2008 and were believed to be the first in Washington County since 2001.

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