Biddeford murder suspect set up fake drug deal, prosecutors say

What started as a sham drug deal ended with the death of a Biddeford man last month, prosecutors said in court Wednesday morning.

Gene Dares, 46, was shot and killed on the night of September 27 after meeting Garret Labonte, 45, and Linda Lambert, 56 of Biddeford. The two were arrested Monday evening. While court documents detailing the killing are still hidden from the public, attorneys revealed some of the events leading up to Dares’ death during Lambert’s first appearance in York County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Lambert attended the hearing via Zoom from the York County Jail, where she is being held on a $250,000 bond and ordered not to contact Labonte. She is charged with murder and robbery.

Labonte is also charged with murder and robbery, as well as one count of conscious or intentional murder. He is being held in jail without bail and his first appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

Under Maine law, a person is guilty of murder if a death is caused while committing or attempting to commit a crime, such as theft, burglary or kidnapping. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, while murder carries a minimum sentence of 25 years.

Both suspects have lengthy criminal histories dating back more than 25 years, state Bureau of Identification Office records show.

Labonte has been found guilty of crimes including assault, disorderly conduct, theft and violating conditions of release, as well as crimes including drug trafficking and theft by deception. Lambert has been convicted of assault, battery, trespass and theft, as well as misdemeanor unlawful possession of drugs.

Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman said Wednesday that Lambert facilitated a meeting between Labonte and Dares, who Ackerman said had long feuded with each other. She said Labonte had stated his intention to kill Dares several times.

Investigators discovered that Lambert had texted Labonte that Dares was five minutes away from her Foss Street home, where he was on his way on an electric bicycle to buy cocaine. When Dares arrived, there was a confrontation, he was shot and fell to the ground, Ackerman said.

First responders found Dares with his pockets turned inside out and a backpack mostly empty except for drug paraphernalia, she said. He died on the spot.

The gun used to shoot Dares was later recovered from the Saco River. Ackerman said Labonte used that gun to kill Dares after Lambert bought it for him at Cabela’s because he was prohibited from owning a firearm.

Lambert’s attorney, Joseph Mekonis, argued that Lambert was simply a witness to the crime, not an accomplice.

Mekonis said Lambert called 911 when Dares was shot in front of her home. He said she was honest in interviews with investigators when she said Labonte wanted to kill Dares.

“You have to be a very, very ill-thinking, decisive criminal to send this man to Garret Labonte in front of (her) house,” Mekonis said. “It is all a coincidence that Ms. Lambert and Mr. Labonte are drug-using friends. Mr. Labonte, if he is, acted independently.”

He asked that Lambert’s bail be reduced to $5,000 cash with a curfew if she were released from jail. The judge rejected that request.

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