AUGUSTA – Maine Gov. Paul LePage has signed a bill to create a unit within the attorney general’s office dedicated to investigating unsolved homicides.

Democratic Rep. Stephen Stanley’s bill signed Tuesday would provide resources to help solve the more than 100 cold cases in the state.

Additional Photos

Judith Richardson talks about the unsolved 2010 killing of her daughter Darien Richardson while testifying February at the State House in Augusta during a public hearing on a bill to create a cold case squad to investigate unsolved homicides.
Judith Richardson talks about the unsolved 2010 killing of her daughter Darien Richardson while testifying February at the State House in Augusta during a public hearing on a bill to create a cold case squad to investigate unsolved homicides. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Maine officials are attempting to secure a grant for up to $300,000 from the federal government to help fund the cold case unit.

LePage also signed a bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Lori Fowle that will fund a part-time prosecutor for the Kennebec County Veterans Treatment Court, which helps veterans who have been convicted of crimes or become addicted to drugs to get the help they need.

Under the program, they must plead guilty, follow a treatment plan and receive counseling.

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