Suspect arraigned in Mansfield killing

July 9, 2008 06:57 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Jonnelle Marte, Globe Correspondent

The suspect in the murder of an 18-year-old Mansfield man shot the victim in the head after a drug deal between the two teens soured, Bristol County prosecutors said.

‘‘It appeared to be a combination of a drug deal and an armed robbery gone bad,’’ said Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol District Attorney’s Office, which is alleging that 19-year-old Mark Hayden of Mansfield was purchasing marijuana from Andrew Colwell and a friend on Monday evening, when Hayden shot Colwell and ‘‘stole the marijuana.’’

The friend, whose name has not been released because he has not been charged, was questioned by police, said Miliote. Hayden was detained Tuesday night at South Station in Boston and agreed to go to the Mansfield Police Station for questioning, said Miliote.

Hayden was arraigned today in Attleboro District Court on charges of murder, possession of marijuana, and unlicensed possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail at the Bristol County jail. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Aug. 7.

Police said Colwell, who graduated from Mansfield High School last month, was found shot in the head behind the wheel of a Jeep near Erick Road in the Edgewood Condominiums complex about 7 p.m. Monday. The last slaying in Mansfield occurred 17 years ago, said Police Chief Arthur O’Neill.