Concord, NH – New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces the indictment of Douglas Barton of Loudon, New Hampshire, for knowing second-degree murder and reckless second-degree murder in connection with the death of Colton Emery in Loudon on September 24, 2019.

On December 19, 2019, Mr. Barton was indicted by the Merrimack County Grand Jury for second-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of Colton Emery by physically assaulting him. An additional alternative count of second-degree murder charges Mr. Barton with recklessly causing Colton's death under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by physically assaulting him. Mr. Barton continues to be held without bail.

The charges and allegations set forth in the indictments are merely accusations, and Mr. Barton is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Assistant Attorneys General Erin Fitzgerald and Nicole Clay of the Criminal Bureau are prosecuting this case.