Biddeford, Maine — A woman has entered a not guilty plea to a felony murder charge connected to the shooting death of a man during what prosecutors claim was a staged drug transaction last September. Linda Lambert, 57, appeared via Zoom in York County Superior Court on Friday, facing allegations which also include robbery.
Gene Dares, 46, was the victim of the fatal shooting on the evening of September 27. Following an extensive investigation, authorities apprehended Lambert and a second suspect, Garret Labonte, linking them to the crime.
Legal statutes in Maine stipulate that any death occurring during the commission or attempted commission of a felony—such as robbery, kidnapping, or burglary—can result in a felony murder charge, with penalties reaching up to 30 years imprisonment. These compare to the minimum sentence of 25 years levied for a murder conviction.
The case continues to unfold as prosecutors and Lambert’s defense attorney are set to convene later this month to discuss the next stages of the legal process. During earlier court proceedings, Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman accused Lambert of orchestrating a meeting between Labonte and Dares due to an ongoing feud between the two men.
Ackerman detailed that Lambert had alerted Labonte of Dares’ arrival to her residence on Foss Street the night of the killing. Upon his arrival, Labonte reportedly confronted and shot Dares, who was later discovered by first responders with emptied pockets and a largely empty backpack containing drug paraphernalia. Dares was pronounced dead at the scene.
Currently detained at Cumberland County Jail with bail set at $250,000, Lambert is barred from any contact with Labonte. She has been in custody since last December, with her lawyer, Joseph Mekonis, possibly seeking a revision of her bail conditions in future hearings.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about the nexus of drug-related violence and legally defined responsibilities in felony crimes. As the legal proceedings inch forward, the community and legal observers alike are keenly watching for the outcomes, not only for the implications of justice for Dares but also for the precedent it sets in handling cases intertwined with alleged staged criminal setups.