WILTON – The brother of a Wilton contractor who was shot to death in his home last December said he thinks the case should be turned over to a senior detective for review.

Bill Weed of Maryland said in an e-mail that he appreciates the effort by Maine State Police in working to find the person who killed Raymond “Butch” Weed, 40, in his Main Street home on Dec. 23, 2003, but he thinks more can be done to find the killer.

“I believe the entire case, facts and evidence should be provided to a new and independent investigator for a fresh set of eyes and a new perspective,” he said.

“I believe there should be a full case review conducted by a senior detective that starts from the beginning and goes through all the facts and evidence to determine what needs to be looked at again, what was missed and what should be done next. I believe there are investigative routes that have not been taken but need to be.”

State Police Sgt. Water Grzyb will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Gray police barracks on Route 26 to talk about the investigation, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said.

Bill Weed said he believes his brother’s death was not a random slaying.

“It’s been one year since my wonderful brother Butch was murdered. Murdered for no reason that anyone can say – not the police, not the town, not his family, not his friends. I do not believe that this was some random murder for which there is no solution. I believe that it can be solved. It will take time. It will take patience. It will take commitment. It will take effort.”

The family has stayed in close communication with Grzyb.

“Sgt. Grzyb has been open and forthright with the family since the beginning,” Weed said. “We appreciate his professionalism and commitment to finding the murderer.”

Grzyb believes – as does the family, Weed said – that the case is difficult but can be solved.

“I do, however, believe that more can always be done on this case from an investigative standpoint,” Weed said.

Attempts to obtain comments from Grzyb were unsuccessful Wednesday night.

The family has posted information regarding Butch Weed’s murder on the Parents of Murdered Children Web site, at www.poms.com.

Weed said he believes someone in the area knows what happened and why.

“We need that individual to come forward with the information they have,” Weed said.

People may call the Maine State Police directly at 1-800-228-0857 or e-mail the agency at [email protected]. They may remain anonymous and still collect the money. They may also send any information they feel might be important to Butch Weed Reward, P.O. Box 904, Wilton, ME 04294.

Friends and family are planning a vigil at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, in the center of Wilton near the Christmas tree.

This is the date and approximate time he was shot to death last year, Weed said.

“We encourage the townspeople of Wilton and surrounding areas to come out and remember my brother,” Weed said. “Remember what wonderful, interesting, decent person he was. Remember that he was killed. Remember that the murderer remains free.”