Vinal Thompson was indicted in 2021 for allegedly assaulting John Katula, an inmate at the Cumberland County Jail. The judge said Thompson acted in self-defense.
Emily Allen
Staff Writer
Emily Allen covers courts for the Portland Press Herald. It's her favorite beat so far — before moving to Maine in 2022, she reported on a wide range of topics for public radio in West Virginia and was the City Hall reporter for the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota. Emily is not a fan of the cold, but she puts up with Maine's challenging winters because she loves the state's beautiful hiking options ... once the snow has cleared.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Judge denies request for new trial for man convicted of 1994 murder
The judge had agreed to consider a new trial after finding Foster Bates’ last attorney waited too long to request a hearing for new evidence in the murder and rape of Tammy Dickson. But the judge didn’t find the evidence strong enough to reopen the case.
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Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Judge allows defendant to view arrest affidavit in Biddeford shooting
Lorenze Labonte, 25, was charged last week with murder in the death of Ahmed Sharif, but he wasn’t allowed to see the affidavit supporting his arrest until Tuesday.
Posted inMaine
Father of Portland man appeals dismissal of lawsuit against city for Back Cove drowning
A U.S. District judge sided with the city and dismissed the case on Nov. 27. Now, John Cohen is asking the First Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider.
Posted inMaine, News
New Gloucester man killed in home furnace explosion
Lado Lodoka, 44, was working on the Intervale Road home’s oil-fired burner when the blast occurred, authorities said.
Posted inMaine, Maine Crime
Aroostook woman accused of setting fire to apartment with boyfriend inside
Attorneys for Susan Kochanowski asked a judge to grant her bail, saying a police affidavit relies too heavily on her inconsistent statements.
Posted inMaine
State, ACLU say new settlement on indigent legal representation offers more immediate relief
The proposal lays out a four-year plan for more oversight and data collection, but it’s not clear that it contains the emergency relief for deprived defendants sought by the Maine judge who must approve the deal.
Posted inMaine
Maine soon could reach another settlement on legal defense for its poorest residents
A judge rejected the first attempt at a deal between the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services and the ACLU of Maine.
Posted inMaine
Mainers with ties to Israel, Palestine relieved by short cease-fire but anxious for future
They welcome the start of a four-day halt in the fighting but grieve for those abroad and worry about hateful rhetoric at home.
Posted inMaine
Power outages fluctuate Wednesday after rainy, windy morning
Central Maine Power reported outages in Cumberland, York and Lincoln counties Wednesday morning.