A Waldoboro woman facing a murder charge pleaded not guilty September 27. She also entered the alternative plea of not criminally responsible by reason of insanity.

A Lincoln County Superior Court justice recently ordered a mental exam for Arline Lawless, 25. She allegedly shot and killed Norman P. Benner Jr. in July. According to a State Police affidavit, Lawless stated she shot Benner when she thought he was going to leave her for another woman.

A grand jury indicted Lawless on the murder charge September 13.

During Thursday's proceeding, Assistant Attorney General Deborah Cashman estimated a September 2013 trial date.

Justice Donald Marden ordered that Lawless remain held without bail. He also accepted her guilty plea to a separate, misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge and gave her a five-day sentence on that conviction.