Man arrested in Franklin County standoff pleads not guilty

ST. ALBANS, Vermont (WCAX) – The man arrested after a five-hour standoff with police in Franklin County made statements in court Friday about several charges.

Matthew Richard, 40, was arrested Thursday after police said he threatened family members with a machete and barricaded himself in a neighbor's home in Georgia.

Police used loudspeakers and stun grenades to lure Richard out of the house. They say Richard surrendered after refusing to cooperate with police for several hours.

On Friday, Richard pleaded not guilty in court to all charges, including aggravated domestic violence and burglary.

Richard is charged as a habitual offender, meaning someone who has been convicted of three serious crimes in Vermont, and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Richard was remanded in custody without bail. An evidentiary hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

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