PORTLAND, Maine - A man accused of placing a gun to the neck of a sheriff’s deputy and pulling the trigger was convicted of murder Tuesday after a trial that focused on his state of mind. Williams shot Cole simply to escape the situation and avoid going to jail, the defence said. Williams confessed that he “eliminated” the deputy after being beaten and taunted during his arrest several days after the killing, Paradie said. Marchese referenced Williams’ arrest in her closing statement, saying she wasn’t asking jurors to condone what happened. Testimony during the trial indicated Cole intended to arrest Williams on drug charges when the two met early April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock.

Source: thestar June 18, 2019 18:00 UTC