Kirk Cassavaugh goes on trial for '06 double homicide in Belmont

The trial of Kirkman J. Cassavaugh III, the 29 year-old charged with violently killing his girlfriend and her older brother in September 2006, is scheduled to begin today in the Belknap County Superior Court.

Cassavaugh, who has been incarcerated since the day of the murders, has plead not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing Jennifer M. Huard, 26, and three counts of killing her brother Jeremiah L. Huard, 29, both of Gilford.

The original indictments issued in December 2006 against claim Cassavaugh killed Jeremy Huard “by stabbing him and shooting him multiple times with a firearm” and that his girlfriend's death was the result of Cassavaugh “shooting her with a firearm.”

Initial investigation by police indicated the Huards were killed at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. The bodies were located on a 90-acre piece of property owned by Cassavaugh's grandparents where the mobile-home he lived in was located. He has been held without bail.

In court papers filed in January 2007, his attorneys, public defenders Cardine Smith of Keene and Angela Trethway of Laconia, wrote that Cassavaugh “disputes the factual allegations in the state’s (charges). Not only does Mr. Cassavaugh deny he murdered either Jeremy Huard or Jennifer Huard, but he further denies he engaged in a plan or scheme with regard to the death of Jeremy Huard or Jennifer Huard.”

After news of the deaths became public, the Huards’ father said his daughter was involved in an abusive relationship with Cassavaugh and said he son was protective of his sister.

The trial begins with jury selection today. Witnesses from both the Belmont Police and the N.H. State Police Major Crime Unit are expected to testify. Court officials say the trial will take about two weeks.