Former resident pleads 'not guilty' to murder

OXFORD HILLS — A Lewiston man who was charged with the murder of 22-year-old Christiana Fesmire pleaded not guilty in court last Thursday.

Buddy Robinson, 30, of 388 Sabattus Street, was accused last month of killing Fesmire then dumping her body into a swamp. Fesmire was first reported missing in July.

Robinson was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury on November 9.

According to the Sun Journal, Lewiston and State Police arrested Robinson after an investigation led them to believe that Robinson "angrily drowned" Fesmire in the bathtub after beating her at her 36 Highland Ave. apartment. Robinson lived above Fesmire's apartment for quite some time; it is believed by associates that Fesmire and Robinson argued frequently, reported the Sun Journal.

On Sunday, police searched for Fesmire's body but it was not recovered.

Sixty volunteers and 18 tracking dogs were coordinated by the Maine Warden Service to search 20 locations in Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon and Mechanic Falls. They searched in swampy areas, the woods, and behind the Auburn Wal-Mart, according to the Sun Journal.

Robinson is being held without bail at the Cumberland County Jail. The Sun Journal reported that bail will be discussed during a hearing at the end of the month.

The Sun Journal also reported that, according to an affidavit, Fesmire was part of a prostitution ring led by Robinson's sister, Brandi, who told police that her brother confessed to the killing.

According to West Paris town officials, Robinson and his sister lived in West Paris nearly seven years ago. They attended school in the Oxford Hills.

Photo:

Buddy Robinson