ALFRED — The brother of a former Springvale woman whose remains were found in a Lebanon well earlier this year said he doesn’t know Robert Copley Jr., the man charged with murder in connection with his sister’s death, and doesn’t want to.

“I never met him and I never want to know him,” said Joshua Noorda, following Copley’s arraignment Thursday at York County Superior Court. Noorda is the brother of Frances Moulton, who disappeared in 2006. Maine State Police found her remains in a 30-foot deep well behind 76 Creamery Hill Road June 23 following an 18-month joint investigation with Sanford Police into her disappearance.

Copley, represented by attorney Sarah Churchill, pled innocent to intentional and knowing murder in a brief appearance before Justice Paul Fritzsche. He will be held without bail at York County Jail, pending a hearing Jan. 26.

In paperwork filed for a court-appointed attorney, Copley claimed few financial resources, but noted that he owned 15 firearms, stored at a friends house, which he estimated were valued at $1,000.

Copley was arrested a week ago in Hiram after a York County Grand Jury handed up the murder indictment. Authorities are releasing few details about their case against Copley, won’t say how they believe Copley killed her or if anyone else might be arrested in connection with Moulton’s death.

“We’re in the early stages of the case,” said assistant attorney general Lisa Marchese following the court hearing. “We have plenty of evidence.”

That sentiment was echoed by Churchill, Copley’s defense attorney.

“The case is very much in the preliminary stages. I’ve not received discovery from the state,” said Churchill, who said she’ll develop a plan of action following an examination of the material.

Churchill declined to say whether she thought others might be implicated.

“There could very well be in any case as old as this one,” she said. She said her client is “holding up as well as can be expected.”

Copley, 22, had once lived on Creamery Hill Road. Copley was among a handful of people on the scene on Creamery Hill Road June 23 when police were searching the property.

The indictment charges that Copley killed Moulton June 29, 2006.

Noorda, 26, who was adopted, found his biological family several years ago.

“I don’t wish this on anyone,” said Noorda. “I’m sad and frustrated.”

Noorda said he hopes if others played a role in Moulton’s death that they are held responsible.

“He’d better suffer,” Noorda said of Copley, as the man was led to a transport van by York County Jail corrections staff following the hearing. “My sister suffered. He’d better and anyone else who had a part of it.”

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