AUGUSTA — A Gardiner man has been jailed on charges of threatening to get a gun and shoot Gov. Paul LePage “between the eyes.”

Richard Lee Andrews, 40, also told the staff at Kennebec Behavioral Health that he was familiar with the governor’s routine and how his bodyguards work, according to a court affidavit filed by Maine State Police Detective Angela Kooistra.

“He indicated he did not have a gun but could easily obtain one and that he would wait for a day that wasn’t too rainy because humidity makes bullets travel differently and he ‘wants to make sure he gets him right between the eyes,’” Kooistra wrote.

Andrews made the threat Thursday, during a meeting with therapists and a psychiatric evaluator, according to the complaint.

Andrews made an initial court appearance Friday via video in Augusta District Court. Judge Susan Sparaco ordered him to have a competency examination, which was requested by the state.

Sparaco set bail at $10,000 cash, with conditions that Andrews refrain from alcohol and illegal drugs, and that he take all of his medication as prescribed. He is also banned from having weapons and from being on the west side of Augusta, where the governor’s home, the Blaine House, is located.

Assistant District Attorney Steve Peterson requested that bail be set at $100,000 worth of property or $25,000 cash, and asked for the geographic limitation, saying Andrews can get all the services he needs on the east side of Augusta.

“The affidavit shows a fairly detailed and thought-out plan about how to shoot the governor,” Peterson said.

Lisa Whittier, a defense attorney, requested bail of $5,000 unsecured, with Andrews being put under house arrest. She said the jail was refusing to give Andrews his prescribed medications – listing about eight of them.

She said his medical problems could escalate without the proper medications.

Sparaco rejected that, asking, “Who can monitor house arrest?”

Peterson said the charge is a misdemeanor rather than a felony because Andrews did not have a gun.

Sparaco scheduled Andrews’ trial for May 8.

 

Kennebec Journal Staff Writer Betty Adams can be contacted at 621-5631 or at: badams@centralmaine.com