Wiscasset — The attorney for the Waldoboro woman charged with murdering her boyfriend in late July has entered a plea of not criminally responsible by reason of insanity.

Arline Seavey, who said she prefers to use the last name Lawless, appeared Sept. 27 before Justice Donald Marden at Lincoln County Superior Court. She was represented by attorney Philip Cohen, who is her court-appointed lawyer.

Assistant Attorney General Deborah Cashman, the prosecutor, asked for 90 days for discovery. A status conference has been scheduled for Dec. 27.

Lawless also pleaded guilty to a count of disorderly conduct and received a sentence of five days in jail and a $10 fine.

The defendant was arrested Aug. 15 and charged with shooting 34-year-old Norman Benner in late July.

The police affidavit said she shot her boyfriend because she feared he was going to leave her for another woman.

The Lincoln County Grand Jury indicted Lawless on Sept. 14.

The parents of Benner and Lawless were in the courtroom Thursday.

In the courtroom, family members of Benner wore laminated pictures of him on their T-shirts.

According to the police affidavit, Lawless said she shot Benner one time while he was asleep, and then shot herself one time about five minutes later.

The affidavit also said the gun that was used was a .22 caliber revolver.

Benner died of "an apparent close contact gunshot wound to the back of the head," said the affidavit.

Lawless was arrested Aug. 15 as she was being discharged from the Spring Harbor treatment center in Westbrook.

Courier Publications reporter George Chappell can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401, ext. 117, or by email at news@courierpublicationsllc.com.