Man Accused Of Killing North Andover Woman Pleads Not Guilty

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- About a dozen members of Wendi Rose Davidson's broke into tears in a Salem Superior Court room Thursday morning as the man accused of killing the North Andover woman entered a not guilty plea. Brian Chevalier, 51, of Merrimack, NH, is charged with first degree murder and is accused of strangling Davidson of her North Andover home on April 21.

Chevalier was returned to Massachusetts Wednesday. He was captured days after the murder in Mexico and has been held inImeprial County, CA since April. Chevalier had initially fought extradition to Massachusetts. In late June he dropped his fight, paving the way to Thursday's court appearance. Chevalier was ordered held without bail and is due back in court August 27 for a pretrial conference.

Chevalier is being represented by Rebecca Whitehill. Essex Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Kirshenbaum represented the state during Thursday's arraignment.

Prosecutors allege the Chevalier killed the mother of two after she broke off their engagement. Chevalier and Davidson began dating shortly after he was paroled last year and were engaged on Valentine's Day, but Davidson broke off their relationship in late March or early April, according to family members.

More on this story:

• Accused North Andover Killer Back In Massachusetts (7/18/2018)
• Accused North Andover Killer Waives Extradition (6/28/2018)
• California Court OKs Extradition Of Accused North Andover Killer(5/15/2018)
• Accused North Andover Killer Could Return To MA Next Week(5/9/2018)
• Accused North Andover Murderer Back In California Court(5/7/2018)
• 2003 Victim: Prosecutors Partly At Fault In North Andover Murder(5/3/2018)
• Victim Offered Harrowing Account Of Night With Accused Killer(5/2/2018)
• Meet The Men Who Tried To Free The Accused North Andover Killer (5/1/2018)
• Accused Killer Still On West Coast, DA Seeks Gov.'s Warrant(4/30/2018)
• Accused Killer's Record Of Violence Against Women Started In 1990 (4/29/2018)
• North Andover Victim Met Alleged Killer On Dating Site(4/28/2018)
• Ex-Fiance Charged With North Andover Woman's Murder(4/27/2018)
• Murder Victim's Fiance Kidnapped Ex-Girlfriend In 2003(4/24/2018)
• North Andover Murder Victim Was "Kind, Caring" (4/23/2018)
• North Andover Homicide Victim Was Strangled (4/22/2018)
• Police Investigating Homicide In North Andover (4/21/2018)

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Patch file photo of Wendi Davidson.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).