AUGUSTA — A Penobscot County man who was convicted previously of attempted murder was ordered to Riverview Psychiatric Center on Wednesday after a judge found him incompetent to stand trial on a charge of criminal mischief.

Christopher Allen Currier, 37, of Greenbush, was in Kennebec County Superior Court at the Capital Judicial Center for a competence hearing. He was charged with committing criminal mischief in August at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta and other charges related to a 2005 attempted murder conviction in Aroostook County.

“I don’t think too clearly,” Currier told Justice Robert Mullen. “I do need help and would appreciate it if you could send me to the hospital. I’ve been sitting in jail for seven months. I haven’t really done anything except try to get out.”

Both Currier’s attorney, Donald Hornblower, and the prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Paul Cavanaugh II, told the judge they read an evaluation of Currier done through the State Forensic Service, and they agreed that Currier was not competent to stand trial.

Hornblower said he didn’t think there was any other conclusion that could be drawn from the findings.

“We ask you to commit him to the commissioner (of the Department of Health and Human Services) and order him transferred to Riverview,” Hornblower said.

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Hornblower also asked that Mullen order treatment for Currier.

Mullen’s finding triggers a series of reports over the next year to indicate whether Currier has been restored to competence and therefore is able to stand trial.

Currier was previously at Riverview for the evaluation but had been returned to the Kennebec County jail, where he has been held without bail since August.

He is charged with committing criminal mischief Aug. 18 at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta and with violating conditions of probation for allegedly failing to pay restitution, failing to get a probation officer’s approval before changing residences and committing new criminal conduct.

One recent report in the file indicated Currier had been untreated for a while and feels better when he is off his medication.

Currier was convicted in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou of attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault for the May 2005 beating of John McDonald, of Presque Isle. Published reports indicate that a cast iron weight was used in the beating.

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Currier was sentenced to 16 years in prison with all but 10 years suspended and four years’ probation. He also was ordered to pay restitution of $20,000. Court records indicate he owes $19,162.82. He was released from prison on March 26, 2014, according to the Department of Corrections.

Also sentenced Wednesday in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:

• Daryl A. Comstock, 36, of Belgrade, operating after habitual-offender revocation March 1, 2014, in Augusta; six-month jail sentence, $1,000 fine.

• Leroy Eugene Gove, 55, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Dec. 11, 2014, in Augusta; 30-day jail sentence to be served at the same time as another sentence, $80 restitution.

• Jill Mansir, 40, of Augusta and Sidney, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Dec. 22, 2014, in Augusta; two-year jail sentence, with all but 45 days suspended (credit for time served), two years’ probation.

• Jonathan L. Norton, of Manchester; unlawful possession of oxycodone Jan. 13, 2015, in Manchester; 60-day jail sentence, $400 fine.

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• Jamela Elka Wilson, 37, of Waterville, operating after habitual-offender revocation and violating condition of release March 5, 2014, in Waterville; six-month jail sentence, $1,000 fine.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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