MIDDLEBURY — Timothy Foley, the Leicester man accused of shooting his neighbor and two state troopers, was arraigned Thursday in Addison County Superior Court on two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated attempted murder.
At the request of Addison County State’s Attorney David Fenster, Judge Robert A. Mello ordered Foley held without bail.
Public defender James Gratton entered a not guilty plea on Foley’s behalf. Gratton said that doctors are currently trying to determine whether Foley is mentally fit to stand trial, and said that Foley has a “significant mental health history.”
In an affidavit filed in court last week, Sgt. Robert Patten of the Vermont State Police said Foley “is known to law enforcement as having both a drug and mental health history.”
Prosecutors allege that in the early hours of April 6, Foley broke into the home of his neighbors Joyce and Mahlon McCoy. According to court documents, Foley shot Mahlon McCoy in the face and also fired at Joyce McCoy. When police arrived at Foley’s home to attempt to speak with him, prosecutors say Foley shot two troopers in the head and face. All three victims survived. The motive for the crime remains unclear.
A dozen law enforcement personnel were present in the courtroom for the arraignment, as well as members of the McCoy family. Mahlon McCoy, Jr., the son of Mahlon McCoy, said before the arraignment that the family hoped Foley was denied bail.
“Hopefully we’ll start to get some answers,” McCoy said.
Foley was initially scheduled to be arraigned April 7 in Rutland County Superior Court, but he refused to appear. He is due back in court June 23.
 
MORE THAN A dozen law enforcement officers attended the arraignment in support of Sgt. Eugene Duplissis and Tpr. Matt Daley, who prosecutors say Foley shot on April 6. Independent photo/Zach Despart