Telegraph file photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Christopher Curtin, whose felony criminal threatening trial begins today in Superior Court, appeared in court shortly after his 2019 arrest. With him is his Attorney Ryan Guptill, his lawyer at the time. (Telegraph file photo by DEAN SHALHOUP)

NASHUA — A jury was selected and empaneled Monday in the criminal threatening case of Christopher Curtin, setting the stage for today’s start of an estimated two-day trial in Hillsborough County Superior Court South.

Curtin, now 44, who lived in Londonderry at the time of his July 1, 2019 arrest, is charged with one count of criminal threatening — deadly weapon, a Class B felony that stemmed from an argument between Curtin and a woman whose vehicles “bumped” each other as they waited in line to enter the Milford Drive-In theater.

Opening statements are scheduled for 10 a.m. before Judge Jacalyn Colburn. Entries on Curtin’s case summary indicate the parties expect the trial to last two days.

According to the prosecution’s account of the incident, the alleged victim and her family were in their car waiting in line to enter the drive-in theater when, they told police, the car behind them “bumped” their car slightly.

When the woman got out, presumably to talk with the other driver, a man later identified as Curtin got out of the car and allegedly insisted the woman’s car had rolled backward and bumped into his girlfriend’s vehicle.

At some point, Curtin allegedly “pulled a gun, chambered a round … and asked (the woman) if she wanted a problem,” according to prosecutors.

The parties apparently returned to their respective vehicles, and both eventually entered the drive-in and parked for the evening.

It’s not clear exactly why, but the alleged victim apparently called police about four hours later to report the incident.

Officers spoke with Curtin and the woman, and a short time later took Curtin into custody on the criminal threatening charge.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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