Franklin
Former neighbor charged in death of New Portland woman
Associated Press
In this file photo, Emily Brochu, left, daughter of murder victim Louise Brochu of New Portland, and her aunt and uncle, Lucy Comber and Luke Brochu, attend a news conference at the Maine Public Safety offices in Augusta, where a $20,000 reward was announced for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the murder of Louise Brochu. State police said Thursday that Jeffrey LaGasse, 31, currently serving time on another offense, has been charged with killing Brochu. The victim, seen in framed photo, was killed in June 2007.
AUGUSTA — A man who was once questioned by police about the death of Louise Brochu has been indicted on a charge of murder, Maine State Police said Thursday.
Brochu, 50, was found dead outside her business, New England Wood Flooring, in June 2007.
Jeffrey LaGasse, 31, of New Portland was indicted by a Somerset County grand jury and is expected to make his first court appearance on the charge on Friday in Somerset County Superior Court in Skowhegan.
LaGasse was questioned by police a few days after Brochu's body was found off Route 27 in New Portland, where she ran a flooring business next to her home. LaGasse was a former employee.
He told a reporter at the time that police took away his car and sport utility vehicle, searched him and his apartment and took photos of him.
"First, they asked me if I knew of anybody who was upset with her," LaGasse told a reporter from the Waterville Sentinel. "Then, they started putting words in my mouth. They told me they thought I needed money, that she said no, and it escalated from there."
LaGasse, who lived in an apartment less than a mile from the crime scene with his girlfriend and her three children, said he once worked for Brochu but didn't know anything about her death.
The details of Brochu's death and the results of an autopsy have remained sealed from the public during the investigation. Her family had offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of her killer.
LaGasse has been in custody on an unrelated charge since November 2007, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said. LaGasse is currently serving a sentence at the Maine State Prison for a violation of probation.
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I'm sure the police have
I'm sure the police have sufficent evidence to convict him of assaulting his girlfriend. There track record with arresting him is perfect. Tron, you sound drunk...remember you still have bail conditions!
I've agreed with this Tron
I've agreed with this Tron fellow more times than not, but he is beginning to become really annoying. Get off the blogs!
Tron, how much dope do you
Tron, how much dope do you smoke during the day? Ballpark.
verified probably about the same as
probably about the same as you, maybe less.
verified I hope the police have
I hope the police have sufficent evidence to convict. Considering their track record, it is doubful.
How sad, such a hard working
How sad, such a hard working person had to die violently. At last the family will see some closure.
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verified on "Health providers gird for DHHS cuts under compromise deal"
cuts
Why doesn't all the members of the legislation take cuts on their payroll and their insurance coverage and see if they can manage. I'm already fighting DHS because of a mistake they made and because of their mistake my income tax refund is in jeopardy. I've already lost my maine state refund. This is wrong. DHS takes money from people who are on the system because of the mistake DHS made. That's not right. Why should the people be punished for a mistake that wasn't their fault. Stop spending other people's money. I work as much as I can so That my 8 yr old can go to school and have food, a roof what I make versus my rent and bills barely lets me have any money left over for dr visits, car repairs or basic household necessities, toothpaste, toilet paper etc.... Why don't they take it back from the people who defrauded DHS. I have mainecare but I don't have dental. Maine care only pays $8.00 for eyeglasses and they break all the time because they are cheap. The only way I can get mainecare to pay for a dentist is if I break a tooth or need one pulled. I can't just go to the dentist to fill a cavitiy or to have my teeth cleaned. That isn't fair. The legislature is supposed to be helping those citizens that are having a hard time. Instead of going on those fancy vacations, buying that new car why don't some of you Take your bonuses and put it back into the system. If I could afford to live like that I would give up my bonuses. It's about caring, oh wait the only thing the legislature cares about is what in their pockets and who they can screw next.!!! I'm all for rules and regulations but it needs to apply to everyone. Starting with the lawmakers.
verified on "An impassioned, diverse dialogue on wind power"
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verified on "Car rolls over on Ash Street in Lewiston"
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I'm relieved to hear that she is okay but didn't the city make this a one lane street now? It used to be two but since they did some road work, it is now lined as one lane. And did the 'passing' car stop to help or did they continue driving off, knowing full and well that they were in the wrong?? Charges need to be filed. This could've cost this poor woman her life or even who knows what else harm it could've caused!
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