LEWISTON – A Lewiston man was charged Thursday in the slaying of a handyman found dead in his apartment three days before Christmas.

Keith Doyon, 25, was indicted by the Androscoggin County grand jury on a charge of manslaughter in the death of his former roommate, 44-year-old Gregory Stewart Rowe.

Rowe was found dead in his Lewiston home Dec. 22, 2001. Police said he had been beaten to death three days earlier.

Doyon and Rowe had a falling out days before Rowe’s death, police said.

Friends of both men said Rowe had asked Doyon to leave, although it was not clear what caused the dispute, police said.

Doyon had been arrested for gross sexual assault one day before Rowe’s body was found. Doyon has been held at the Androscoggin County Jail since.

The charge of manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.