PORTLAND

Manslaughter trial continued for pneumonia strain analysis

The manslaughter trial of Ernest Weidul has been continued until May.

Weidul is accused of beating Roger Downs Jr. so badly in May 2010 that Downs died.

Weidul’s defense team had asked for a continuance so they could get an analysis of the pneumonia strain that Downs had when he died. They said Monday they hope to show that he died of pneumonia, not the beating.

Weidul faces a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. At one point, he was offered a chance to plead guilty to simple assault, a misdemeanor. That was before the State Medical Examiner ruled that Downs died as a result of Weidul’s blows.

Justice Joyce Wheeler continued the case and because of scheduling conflicts, the trial cannot resume until May 11 when a new jury will be selected.

BANGOR

Man convicted in hit-and-run to stay jailed during appeal

A judge has ruled that a South Berwick man convicted in the hit-and-run death of a University of Maine student two years ago will remain behind bars during the appeals process.

Garrett Cheney, 23, was sentenced in December to 15 years, with all but seven years suspended, on manslaughter and drunken driving convictions stemming from the April 2010 death of Jordyn Bakley, 20, of Camden in Orono.

Cheney asked to be released on bail while he appeals to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

WINDHAM

Traffic light pulled down by truck to be replaced today

The traffic light at one of Windham’s busiest intersections is expected to remain out of service until it can be replaced sometime today.

The overhanging traffic light at Windham Center Road and Route 202 was knocked to the ground by a truck carrying a boom, according to a dispatcher for Cumberland County.

Police had to reroute traffic around the intersection for nearly two hours before the intersection could be reopened. The accident occurred around 2 p.m. Wednesday.

ELLSWORTH

Former custodian gets three years for drug sale at school

A former custodian at Ellsworth High School has been sentenced to three years in prison for selling prescription drugs at the school.

Frank Trundy, 53, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of aggravated felony drug trafficking.

Trundy was arrested on Oct. 28 after he sold 10 hydrocodone pills to an undercover officer posing as a new custodian. The Bangor Daily News says Trundy had also bought codeine from a student the day before.

On Wednesday, Trundy accepted responsibility for his crimes. He acknowledged having previous drug problems and said he was prescribed the pain medication to deal with broken bones that didn’t heal right after he was run over by a forklift in 2005 accident.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to eight years with all but three years suspended and three years of probation after he is released.

AUGUSTA

Man pleads guilty to sexual assault during a break-in

A Maine man has pleaded guilty to breaking into a neighbor’s home in the town of China and sexually assaulting her.

James Bickford pleaded guilty in Kennebec County Superior Court on Tuesday to gross sexual assault and a burglary charge related to the same break-in.

The 21-year-old victim escaped during the attack the night of July 29, and ran naked to another home to get help.

The Kennebec Journal reports that Bickford, 33, is scheduled to be sentenced in March when he faces a maximum of 15 years under a plea deal with prosecutors.

Authorities say Bickford waited until the woman’s husband went to work, then wearing a ski mask, used a key he had to get into the home. He had a key because he used to live there.

CASCO

Sebago Lake campgrounds now taking reservations

Reservations for one of Maine’s most popular campgrounds, Sebago Lake State Park, are being accepted.

State park officials say the reservation system will be open for Sebago only on Wednesday, and for all state park campgrounds next Monday. The opening dates for online reservations are being split to reduce wait times for campers.

There will be no fee increase for sites at the state park campgrounds. Fees do vary from campground to campground, with the highest fees for nonresidents who want sites with water and electricity hookups.

Campers can make reservations at Maine state campgrounds online at www.campwithme.com. They can also call state offices, mail in reservations or drop them off.