PORTLAND — Joel Hayden made his initial appearance in Cumberland County Superior Court Thursday afternoon to face two charges of murder.

Hayden, 29, of New Bedford, Mass., was arrested Monday following the shooting deaths of his girlfriend, 27–year-old Renee Sandora and his longtime friend Trevor Mills, 28, of New Bedford.

Sandora was the mother of Hayden’s four children, including 3-month-old twin girls.

Sandora and Mills were both shot at Sandora’s home on Bennett Road in New Gloucester, and each died from their injuries Tuesday at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Hayden, who was injured during a high speed police chase after the shootings, appeared in court wearing a yellow jail suit over his hospital gown, his hospital ID bracelet clearly visible on his wrist. Moving slowly, he acknowledged understanding his Miranda rights and the charges of intentional and knowing murder as each were read aloud to him. Given a chance to ask questions of the court, he had none.

The Massachusetts man will continue to be held without bail at Cumberland County Jail, pending a Harnish hearing to determine bail. That hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Portland attorney John Ney has been appointed by the court to represent Hayden.

Ney asked the court to impound affidavits in this case, including the arrest affidavit that described details of the crime, and the court agreed.

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