A Portland man has pleaded not guilty to killing another man in Westbrook late last year.
Deng Malual, 36, entered his plea Wednesday afternoon during a brief hearing at Cumberland County Superior Court in Portland, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Malual allegedly killed 61-year-old Clarence James Pearson of Westbrook.
Pearson was found dead inside his Mechanic Street apartment about 1:38 a.m. on Nov. 28. A subsequent autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
Malual was arrested without incident in Portland about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 in connection with Pearson’s death.
Malual has a lengthy criminal history going back a decade, including offenses for assault, criminal mischief, criminal threatening, disorderly conduct and more, the Press Herald reported..
Malual is currently being held without bail.