NASHUA – Facing a charge of second-degree murder for the death of Brandon Kluz in Amherst, Bryson Peluso on Friday entered a plea of not guilty before Judge Charles Temple.

Peluso, 27, is charged with shooting Kluz, 23, with a handgun at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday at 19 Baboosic Lake Road in Amherst. A statement from New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald alleges Peluso engaged in “circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life” in the incident that led to the death of Kluz.

Although Peluso’s arraignment was standard and brief Friday morning at Hillsborough County Superior Court-South in Nashua, he remains behind bars. During the video arraignment, Temple ordered him held without bail.

“In ordering preventive detention, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that your release will endanger the safety of both yourself and the public for the following reasons,” Temple said to Peluso, who was projected on the video monitor screen before him. Peluso was accompanied by public defender Jeff Odlund.

This finding was made on the basis of the second-degree murder charge

pending against him. However, Temple said Peluso may request an evidentiary hearing on this finding at any time as this case proceeds. Assistant Attorney General Peter Hinckley was also present for the Friday arraignment.

Nevertheless, Temple said, “I have found probable cause for that charge after reviewing the arrest warrant affidavit.”

Additionally, the State Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Concord conducted an autopsy Friday. This led to Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie Duval’s official determination that Kluz died from a gunshot wound to the chest, while the manner of death was a homicide.

The case is still in the early stages of the investigation and police ask that anyone with any additional information on the incident to contact Sgt. Marc Beaudoin of the New Hampshire State Major Crime Unit at 603-223-4381.

Adam Urquhart can be reached at 594-1206 or aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.