PARIS – Capt. Ernest Martin, administrator of the Oxford County Jail, said a man killed in a standoff Saturday did not present any problems when jailed last June on a charge of attempting to murder his wife.

“He was very low key,” Martin said.

On Saturday, Scott White, 46, of Rumford was shot to death by Trooper Tim Black of the Maine State Police’s tactical team after a nearly eight-hour standoff at the same home on Penobscot Street in Rumford where his wife was stabbed, police said. This time, he and his wife, Tracey, were divorced and he was threatening to burn down her house.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said White entered the house that morning and told Tracey White by phone that he would set it on fire.

Just 15 days before he was released on bail on the attempted murder charge.

As White emerged from the house he was hit stunned with a Taser gun, then shot after he continued to approach the tactical team armed with knives, police said.

Martin said Maine Pre-Trial Services, the company the jail hires to assess what prisoners can be released on conditions if they cannot afford bail, declined to accept White’s case because of the gravity of the charge.

Martin said he didn’t recall White saying or writing anything inflammatory and aside from visits with his family, he did not socialize with other inmates.

“He was a mature individual,” Martin said. “He wasn’t controversial at all.”

White was arrested June 28 on a charge of attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault after Tracey was stabbed three times at their home.

Scott White was initially held on $20,000 cash or $100,000 surety bail, but that was changed to $25,000 cash or $50,000 surety at his arraignment in Paris District Court.

The state may request a prisoner to be held without bail for formerly capital offenses. This requires a Harnish bail proceeding within five court days, during which a judge may uphold the decision or set bail.

A judge may set bail unless the state gives convincing evidence that the defendant will not appear in court, commit new criminal conduct, or create a risk to the community or another person.

“The frustration with the public that I hear is, ‘Why do the police let them out of jail?'” Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant said. “But the police have no control over that. People have a constitutional right to be bailed pre-trial, and if they can meet the state’s obligation for bail pre-trial we have to let them out.”

Martin said prisoners may also be transferred to a psychiatric institution if they show signs of being psychotic, suicidal or homicidal. White was given an assessment after jail officials found him to be withdrawn and depressed, but was never transferred from the jail, he said.

Martin said he was in contact with White’s family two weeks before his release on Sept. 7 on surety bail. Under the conditions of release, White was not to use or possess alcohol, drugs or weapons. He was also to have no direct or indirect contact with Tracey White.

Sally Daigle, White’s mother, confirmed that White had been living with her but declined further comment.

Rumford Police Chief Stacy Carter said the police agency that made the arrest is usually in charge of conducting checks. He said possession of kitchen implements is not considered a breach of the condition requiring no dangerous weapons.

“I don’t think any reasonable officer would consider that a violation,” he said.

John Jenness, White’s attorney, declined comment on Monday.