PORTLAND (AP) — A jury that’s deliberating in the trial of Maine lobsterman who fatally shot a man at a beekeeping business in North Yarmouth has the options of murder, manslaughter or acquittal.
Jurors listened to a 911 tape that captured the gunshots before adjourning Tuesday. Deliberations resume Wednesday.
The defense said Merrill “Mike” Kimball was defending himself from an assault when he shot 63-year-old Leon Kelley three times. Prosecutors say he fired out of anger, not fear.
Kelley’s father-in-law is owner of the business. Kimball’s wife worked there and was retrieving about 700 pounds honey she’d harvested when the confrontation took place.
Witnesses testified there was ill will because 94-year-old beekeeper Stan Brown allowed Kimball’s wife to manage the farm and he’d written her into his will.
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