Augusta man pleads not guilty to murder in scare attempt that went wrong

Andrew Redmond, left, and defense attorney Stephen C. Smith during Redmond’s arraignment Friday at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta. Redmond pleaded not guilty to intentional or knowing murder in the July shooting death of Tyler Robinson of Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — An Augusta man pleaded not guilty to murdering another Augusta man this summer after a plan to scare him went wrong.

Andrew Redmond, 34, answered “not guilty” Friday when asked by Kennebec County Superior Court Justice Julia Lipez for his plea to a charge of intentional or knowing murder at his arraignment at Capital Judicial Center.

Redmond, who was arrested by police while on the lam in Mississippi, was indicted in October on allegations he shot and killed Tyler Robinson, 34, on July 28.

Robinson was found near 42 Old Belgrade Road in Augusta the night of July 28 after a passing driver called 911 to report having seen a man on the side of the road. Robinson reportedly had blood covering his face and head.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Robinson and deemed his death a homicide. The state’s chief medical examiner discovered a gunshot wound to Robinson’s chest.

Redmond allegedly rode up to Robinson on an all-terrain vehicle and shot him, after a plan to scare him went wrong. The shooting took place near where Redmond was living in a tent by a home and allegedly selling drugs, according to an affidavit and criminal complaint filed by Detective Nicholas Gleeson of the Maine State Police.

Witnesses told police that Redmond and others planned to scare and beat up Robinson when he arrived at 8 Shovelhead Lane, a short road off Old Belgrade Road.

Robinson’s girlfriend told police she drove Robinson and another man to 8 Shovelhead Lane, and she was forced out of her Jeep at gunpoint by Redmond, who told her to go inside the residence.

When Robinson was then confronted by the group, he fled on foot. Two other men chased after him — one shooting toward him, but not hitting him — with a shotgun loaded with nonlethal rubber bullets, according to officials.

The body of Tyler Robinson, 34, of Augusta was found near 42 Old Belgrade Road, seen here in July. Andrew Redmond, 34, of Augusta has pleaded not guilty to murdering Robinson. Ashley Allen/Kennebec Journal file

Redmond then allegedly caught up to Robinson on his ATV. A witness said Redmond passed him on the ATV and stopped near Robinson. The witness said he then heard a gunshot.

The witness told police that due to the poor lighting, he did not see Redmond shoot Robinson, but heard the gunshot from near the ATV. The witness said that when Redmond returned on his ATV, he told the witness, “I shot him.”

Robinson’s girlfriend told police she remained at the residence after the shooting, and Redmond apologized to her several times, stating “he was sorry, it wasn’t supposed to go down like that.”

On Friday, Redmond, represented by attorney Stephen Smith, was lead into court in handcuffs, wearing a green jail uniform. He had close-cut hair and a thin beard.

Redmond is being held without bail at Somerset County jail in Madison, according to jail records.

He said “yes, your honor” when Lipez asked if he’d had a chance to discuss his case with Smith.

No one attended the arraignment other than court and jail officials, police and media members.

Redmond’s criminal record, according to the State Bureau of Identification, includes only misdemeanor-level charges: two counts of operating under the influence, in 2010 and 2019; refusing to submit to arrest or detention and criminal mischief, in 2010; two counts of violating conditions of release, in 2019 and 2010; theft by unauthorized taking, in 2011; and assault, in 2008.