AUBURN — A local man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2007
death of his girlfriend’s baby is claiming his lawyer was ineffective.

Todd Gamache, 25, had been charged with murder, but pleaded last
year to the lesser crime. A judge in April 2008 sentenced Gamache to 18
years in prison, with four of those years suspended.

Gamache’s new lawyer met with a judge and a prosecutor at
Androscoggin County Superior Court on Wednesday to discuss his petition
for a hearing to review his conviction and his legal assistance during
the case. The judge agreed and a hearing was set for Dec. 22.

Emmy-Leigh Cole was 8 months old when she was alone with Gamache who
was babysitting the child for his girlfriend. Gamache said he dropped
the baby after giving her a bath. He changed his story to police
several times, a prosecutor said. A grand jury handed up a murder
indictment, which was dismissed after he pleaded guilty to
manslaughter.