BANGORDoctor testifies woman was not having a seizure in killing

A doctor says a Bangor woman knew what she was doing when she killed her husband.

Dr. April O’Grady, the state’s rebuttal witness, said Tuesday that she doesn’t believe Roxanne Jeskey was having a seizure at the time of his death, WZON-AM reported.

Jeskey’s lawyers say she suffers from seizures since having a brain tumor removed in 2004.

Jeskey, who is using an insanity defense, is charged with killing Richard Jeskey on June 12, 2011, in a jealous rage. Police say she used weapons that included a box-cutter, plastic baseball bat and pliers.

A neuropsychologist who testified for the defense said Monday that Jeskey has a brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and a psychotic disorder and is at times not in touch with reality.

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Man pleads not guilty to raping, killing girlfriend

A Bangor man charged with kidnapping, raping and killing his girlfriend has pleaded not guilty.

Zackery Mailloux entered his plea Monday during an arraignment at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor.

The 21-year-old Mailloux has been charged with killing Husson University student Brooke Locke.

Bangor police said they found the 21-year-old Locke’s body Nov. 18 while responding to a complaint of domestic violence. She had been strangled.

The two shared an apartment.

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Mailloux’s attorney says his client will undergo a psychological evaluation and he will pursue “any appropriate defense.” Mailloux is being held without bail.

Independent exploring a run for U.S. Senate seat

Another Mainer is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014.

Mike Turcotte of Bangor announced Tuesday that he is creating an exploratory committee to study running as an independent for the Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Turcotte, who is an adjunct professor of ethics at Eastern Maine Community College, said in a statement that his priorities would be Social Security, health care, supporting seniors and veterans, preserving the environment and protecting the civil rights of citizens.

“Our nation’s priorities require re-evaluation,” Turcotte said. “We can no longer send billions of tax dollars overseas and allow more Mainers in our communities, and other Americans to slip into poverty. We must give higher credence to the basic needs of our fellow citizens including jobs with a living wage, healthcare, tax reform, education, and a stable economy.”

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In March 2010, Turcotte announced plans to challenge Alabama U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, a Republican, as a Democrat in that state’s 1st Congressional District but his name did not appear on the November ballot. He was working and pursuing a master’s degree from Spring Hill College in Alabama at the time.

In Maine, Turcotte filed a lawsuit in 2011 challenging the state’s redistricting process, arguing that independents were not adequately represented on the reapportionment committee.

As an independent, Turcotte has until June 2 to gather 4,000 signatures from registered Maine voters in order to qualify for the ballot in November.

Two other candidates — Democrat Shenna Bellows and Republican Erick Bennett — have announced plans to run against Collins, who is seeking a fourth six-year term in the Senate.

BREWERFinal elver harvest hearing draws up to 300 attendees

Maine residents are providing ideas for how the state can cut its lucrative glass eel catch.

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Maine Department of Marine Resources spokesman Jeff Nichols said up to 300 people attended the final hearing Tuesday on plans to cut the harvest of elvers, as the baby eels are known.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said the fishery can remain open this year as long as state officials come up with a plan to reduce this year’s catch by at least 25 percent to 40 percent.

Nichols said most of those who attended the hearing want the state to set individual elver fishing quotas. Others are backing a derby-style limit in which fishermen could go after elvers until reaching a predetermined limit.

The elver fishing season begins in March.

AUGUSTADemocratic lawmakers tout tax revenue sharing bill

The Democratic co-chairwomen of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee are backing a bill to prevent reductions in state aid to towns and cities.

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Democratic Rep. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston and Sen. Dawn Hill of Cape Neddick say their measure would restore $40 million in revenue sharing. They say more than $29 million would provide tax relief for homeowners while the rest would benefit commercial property owners.

Cities and towns face losing $40 million in state aid if lawmakers don’t come up with savings in the state budget by reducing or eliminating tax breaks.

Maine’s municipalities have already faced significant cuts. They typically received 5 percent of all state sales and income tax revenue, or about $145 million. But about $73 million was cut this fiscal year and about $83 million the next.

SEABROOK, N.H.Police officers suspended for video showing violence

Three police officers in Seabrook, N.H., have been suspended after a video surfaced showing an officer slamming a suspect into a wall at the police station more than four years ago.

Town Manager Bill Manzi tells the Portsmouth Herald the officers were put on paid administrative leave Tuesday, one day after the video appeared on YouTube. The video, dated Nov. 11, 2009, shows three officers walking a shirtless man down a hall. One of the officers slams the man into a wall and he falls to the floor. A struggle follows and the suspect eventually falls out of view. Two officers stand smiling over the downed man.

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Neither the officers nor the man are identified. The person who posted the video did not respond to an email seeking comment. A police dispatcher said there would be no comment from the department.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H.Police won’t charge senator for hitting a pedestrian

New Hampshire police say a state senator will not face charges after she drove over a curb and hit a pedestrian in Portsmouth last year.

Martha Fuller Clark had told police that she “blacked out” before the Nov. 1 accident. She struck 67-year-old Carla Dow of Kittery Point, Maine. Dow suffered bruises and cuts.

Police tell the Portsmouth Herald that tests show the 71-year-old senator was not impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time.

Fuller Clark’s lawyer, Wilfred “Jack” Sanders, said the senator is “obviously sorry” about the crash and wishes Dow well.

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Sanders says Fuller Clark voluntarily surrendered her driver’s license after the accident and may try to get it back. Meanwhile, Fuller Clark is trying to determine if a medical issue contributed to the accident.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.Governor wants to wait and see about legal marijuana

Don’t expect Rhode Island to legalize the recreational use of marijuana — at least not this year.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee said Tuesday that the state should see how laws legalizing marijuana in Colorado and Washington play out before considering similar steps.

Rhode Island last year eliminated criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Those caught with pot now receive something more like a traffic ticket.

Chafee, a Democrat, says it’s premature to consider bigger changes until the impact of decriminalization is understood.

The Washington D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project has said it believes Rhode Island could be one of the next states to legalize the drug. Supporters say they’ll back legislation this year to legalize small amounts of pot and subject it to alcohol-style taxes and regulations.

— From staff and news services


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