A man accused of killing his wife in Waldoboro in August pleaded not guilty in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset on Friday.

James Clark, 49, of Damariscotta, has been indicted on one count of intentional or knowing murder, which carries a sentence of 25 years to life, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, which comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges on Friday.

Police say Clark shot his ex-wife, Levern Kelley, 53, of Waldoboro, the evening of Aug. 7 at her home in Waldoboro before fleeing to Florida. Kelley’s body was found on the porch of her home the morning of Aug. 9 when a co-worker stopped to check on her.

Kelley had told co-workers before her death that if she did not show up for work, her ex-husband had likely killed her.

The medical examiner’s office recovered 12 bullets from Kelley’s body, according to an affidavit signed by Maine State Police Detective Einar Mattson.

Clark and Kelley were married for a short time before divorcing in 2023, according to court records. In the affidavit, Mattson wrote that the two began seeing each other again in July. 

Her family did not approve and several friends and relatives told police they believed Clark was abusive to Kelley, Mattson wrote.

Clark’s mother told police about an incident where she saw her son hold a gun to Kelley’s head, Mattson wrote.

Clark was charged with domestic violence assault and criminal threatening against Kelley in June 2024, according to court records. Those charges were dismissed in early 2025 after Clark pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mischief.

Staff Writer Emily Allen contributed to this report.