A lawyer hired by the family of a Kennebunk woman who was shot to death by a police officer last month is doing his own investigation of the shooting.

“I’ve been asked to just investigate the facts and factors surrounding the shooting,” said Daniel Warren of the Scarborough law firm Jones & Warren. “Any time you have a situation like this, No. 1, you want to find out what happened.”

Warren said Wednesday that he would meet this week with the family of Katherine Paulson, who was 39. His law partner, Jeffrey Jones, is handling probate matters for Paulson’s estate.

Paulson was shot in her home by Officer Joshua Morneau on March 27. Police say Morneau was responding to a domestic disturbance report when he was confronted with deadly force and killed Paulson. Police have not further characterized the deadly force, other than to say that Paulson was not simply using her fists.

Paulson lived with her mother, Carol, in a condominium at 16 Nottingham Court. Carol Paulson, through her daughter Suzanne Jopling, has declined to be interviewed. Jopling referred questions to Jones & Warren.

The state Attorney General’s Office is investigating the shooting, as it does in all cases when deadly force is used by police in Maine. It’s not clear when the office will finish its report, which will include a determination of whether deadly force was justified.

Morneau and the other officer who responded to the call, Sgt. Juliet Gilman, returned to work this week after being on leave. Morneau returned Monday and Gilman returned Wednesday, with both resuming their typical duties, said Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee.

The Kennebunk Police Department is investigating whether its policies and procedures were followed. That review has not been completed, Bean Burpee said.

Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:

akim@pressherald.com

 

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