MOUNT OLIVE (12/06/05) – Michael O. Gagnon, accused in the homicide death of Annick Smiton was arraigned yesterday in Superior Court in Morristown. Both lived in Mount Olive.

Gagnon appeared submissive and was polite when he answered questioned put to him by Superior Court Judge Peter Conforti concerning the charges against him. Conforti then set bail at $1 million

Gagnon, 68, was dressed in the bright colored jumpsuit worn by accused criminals, a white shirt and was in handcuffs. If convicted Gagnon could serve a life sentence in prison or 30 years.

He is divorced and is the father of two grown sons, who, according to police, he spoke with only sporadically, according to police. There were no relatives or friends at the arraignment.

The Budd lake resident was charged with fatally shooting Smiton, 55, once in the head at close range.

Police said Gagnon did not have a criminal background and had successfully passed a criminal background check which enabled him to purchase the alleged murder weapon in a gun store in Roxbury

According to police, Smiton was last seen on October 25. Her decomposed body was found by police the day before Thanksgiving when an employee at the Eagle Rock Village apartment complex where Gagnon lived complained of an odor coming from the apartment.

Police issued an all points bulletin and a warrant for his arrest and he was apprehended in Westport, Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day by police there as he pulled up in front of a relative’s home.

Other charges involving possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and auto theft were filed in Westport to hold him until Morris County authorities could prepare the papers of extradition. Those charges now have been dropped.

He apparently took Smiton’s 1994 Toyota Corolla from Mount Olive and abandoned it in Greenburgh, NY. He then rented a car and drove to Westport where he is believed to have relatives.

According to authorities, Smiton and Gagnon met in the Mount Olive Library. Sources there said both were regular visitors but could not verify if there appeared to be any relationship between the two. Police have yet to determine the relationship between the two or how Smiton came to be in his apartment.

Police said Gagnon is retired and has no visible means of support. Smiton has no known relatives in this country but has some who reside in France.

Gagnon’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 19.