PARIS — Arraignment of a Maine man charged with killing and sexually assaulting his mother-in-law in front of his 6-year-old daughter has been delayed until a mental health evaluation is complete.
Paul Orchard, of Peru, was sent to a state psychiatric center in December for a mental examination.
The Sun Journal reports that his case in Oxford County Superior Court was postponed Tuesday until Jan. 30 for the results to be reviewed, which likely will determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.
The 33-year-old Orchard is charged with killing 57-year-old Paula Nuttall in the family home on Oct. 11.
He told police he was on a “vapor high” from polyurethane fumes while treating Nuttall’s floor.
According to court documents, Orchard has previously been treated for a mental illness.
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