John Durfee, a witness in the Kelly Gorham murder trial who was being sought following a police chase in York, is in jail after being arrested by Kennebunk police this morning.

Durfee, 66, recently came to the attention of authorities after his wife was found unconscious alongside a road in Eliot Oct. 13, and a car similar to Durfee’s was seen driving away.

Eliot police have not suggested Durfee did anything wrong in connection with his wife’s circumstances but when he was spotted by York Police later that night, he sped off, police said. Police followed him into New Hampshire but cut short the chase when it entered a congested area.

York police issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of eluding a police officer, a felony.

Kennebunk officers were checking the parking lot of the Turnpike Motel on Alewive Road just past midnight when they found Durfee’s car. He was arrested without incident and after being taken to Southern Maine Medical Center for arm pain unrelated to his arrest, he was taken to York County Jail in Alfred, police said.

Durfee was Gorham’s landlord and played a significant role in the murder trial of Jason Twardus, who was convicted Oct. 1 of killing Gorham, his former fiancee. Twardus’ legal team had suggested Durfee was an alternate suspect, suggesting it raised doubt about Twardus’ involvement.

Eliot police have said Nancy Durfee, 60, was unable to explain how she came to be out of her car, unconscious, on a lawn in Eliot.


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