FARMINGTON – A Massachusetts man who is accused of fatally stabbing an 81-year-old Farmington woman last year pleaded not guilty Friday in Franklin County Superior Court.

Juan Contreras, 27, of Waltham is charged with murdering Grace Burton, who police say was stabbed 35 times in her apartment on June 21.

In court Friday morning, Contreras, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and leg shackles, nodded his head and whispered “yes” to acknowledge that he understood the murder charge before entering his plea.

Burton’s friends and family sat silent and motionless on a second-row bench, just a few feet behind Contreras in the small courtroom.

During the brief arraignment, Justice Michaela Murphy ordered that Contreras be held without bail until his next court date, on June 5, when the status of the case will be discussed by attorneys.

David Sanders, Contreras’ court-appointed attorney, told the court that he did not oppose the decision to hold his client without bail until the next court date.

Julie Shaw, Burton’s daughter, was among those who attended the hearing. Shaw and others with her declined to comment afterward.

A trial would likely not start until November, according to Murphy. Murder carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Contreras has been held without bail since his arrest on Nov. 17 in Waltham. Police say DNA links him to a trail of blood that Burton’s attacker left at the Margaret Chase Smith Apartments, where the woman lived.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer David Robinson can be contacted at 861-9287 or at:

drobinson@centralmaine.com