AUGUSTA — Whatever the state Supreme Court advises about whether ranked choice voting violates Maine’s Constitution, the new voting method would apparently still apply to primaries and congressional elections. “The majority of the elections should be governed by this in 2018,” said Kate Knox of Bernstein Shur, representing the Committee for Ranked Choice Voting that […]
maine supreme court
Posted inOxford Hills
High court upholds Fryeburg Academy land use
FRYEBURG — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Tuesday a 2014 vote by the Planning Board that allowed Fryeburg Academy to use two parcels of leased land to teach outdoor classes and house administrative offices. In the background for the court’s decision, Justice Ellen Gorman wrote that on Oct. 10, 2014, Fryeburg Academy submitted permit […]
advertisement
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
High court to hear Oxford County man’s molestation appeal
An Oxford County man convicted of molesting two 8-year-old girls in 2012 is appealing his case to the state’s highest court. David Hanscom, 64, of Mason Township, which is east of Bethel, was convicted of two felony counts of unlawful sexual contact in 2015. He said the jury’s verdict should be reversed because the court denied […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting suit goes to Maine Supreme Court
PORTLAND — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments in a lawsuit that pits a hunting reform group against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife about the agency’s role in defeating proposed changes to the state’s bear hunt. Maine residents shot down changes to the bear hunt at polls in 2014. Mainers […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. LePage reappoints Leigh Saufley as Maine chief justice
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage announced Thursday he is reappointing the state’s top judge, Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, to a historic third term. Her term was set to expire at the end of February. Saufley, who was first appointed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in 1997 by independent Gov. Angus King, is the state’s […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Law Court allows whistleblower suit against Cumberland County to go to trial
LEWISTON — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has overturned an Androscoggin County Superior Court decision that a detective fired from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department did not have enough evidence to bring a whistleblower claim against Cumberland County and its two top officers before a jury. Cumberland County Detective Gerard Brady is now free to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage asks Maine Supreme Court to rule on vetoes, adjournment
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has asked the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to arbitrate his dispute with the Legislature about whether 65 bills have become law. The request, made Friday, follows recent controversy over dozens of bills lawmakers and most independent legal authorities — including Attorney General Janet Mills — say have become law because […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage plans to take veto issue to Maine Supreme Court — eventually
AUGUSTA — A debate between Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers over the status of dozens of bills on his desk may not be resolved any time soon. LePage told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network on Monday that he plans to ask the Maine Supreme Court for its opinion, but hasn’t yet decided when he […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Kristina Lowe appeals manslaughter convictions
BANGOR — A defense lawyer has asked the state’s highest court to throw out a manslaughter conviction on the grounds that the deaths of two West Paris teenagers in 2012 did not occur as the result of a crime. James Howaniec told Maine Supreme Court justices Wednesday morning that once jurors acquitted his client, Kristina Lowe, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
High court blasts prosecution’s tactics against convicted Lewiston murderer
PORTLAND — The state’s highest court gave a scathing appraisal of a prosecutor’s conduct at a Lewiston man’s appeal for a new trial on Thursday. Buddy Robinson, 33, was convicted of murder in the death of Christiana Fesmire and was sentenced to 55 years in prison in October 2013. He is asking the Maine Supreme Judicial […]