ALFRED — There will be no new trial for Jason Twardus, convicted last year of murdering his former fiancée Kelly Gorham in Maine in 2007 and then burying her body on land owned by his father in northern New Hampshire.

York County Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan denied Twardus’ bid for a new trial Monday.

In the brief decision, he said a supplemental order with his findings and conclusions would be forthcoming. That order had not been issued as of press time today; it could come at any time.

So far, no sentencing date has been set.

Twardus’ attorney, Dan Lilley, argued in June that evidence in the case that should have been investigated that might have cast doubt on his client’s guilt was not pursued, and therefore his client should have a new trial.

During the trial itself, and at a subsequent hearing in connection with a bid for a new trial in April, Lilley repeatedly suggested Gorham’s landlord, John Durfee, may be responsible for her death.

But Assistant Attorney General William Stokes said there was plenty of evidence at trial to show that Twardus murdered Gorham in Alfred and then buried her body in remote Stewartstown, N.H. on land owned by his father, Brian Twardus.

Stokes, at the June hearing reiterated evidence that was revealed at trial: A bank video surveillance tape showed Twardus withdrawing $100 from an ATM on Aug. 8, 2007, and another tape showed him at a convenience store in Colebrook, N.H. ”“ seven miles from his family’s land in Stewartstown, N.H. later that morning. Stokes said records show John Durfee’s cell phone was being used from southern Maine during that time period.

He said Twardus, who had been engaged to marry Gorham before she broke the engagement, was the only one with a motive to kill the nursing student.

Gorham was reported missing Aug. 8, 2007 after she failed to show up for work at Maine Medical Center.

Her remains were found Sept. 2 that year in Stewartstown, N.H. on Brian Twardus’ property. Among the items buried with her was a comforter that Nancy Durfee, John Durfee’s wife, had identified as coming from the bed in Gorham’s apartment.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.