When 10-year-old Maxim McFarland awoke in the hospital last week after nearly dying in the Androscoggin River, the first thing he did was ask about his little brother. Maxim had jumped into the fast-moving river to save 5-year-old Valerio. “When he was still intubated, he asked me. Even though he couldn’t talk, he mouthed at […]
Christopher Williams
Chris Williams covers courts and daytime crime at the Sun Journal where he has been a staff writer for more than two decades. He reports on local, state and federal courts as well as spot news, crashes, fires and other general mayhem. During his time at the Sun Journal, he has served on Sunday and enterprise staff, covering politics, state government, environmental and health care issues, sometimes tackling investigative stories. When he's not on the beat, Chris enjoys sailing, skiing and restoring his Victorian era home.
Police raid more than 20 marijuana sites in Lewiston, Auburn area
State and federal law enforcement officers are conducting simultaneous raids in multiple locations around Lewiston and Auburn on Tuesday morning
2017: Minot man charged with trying to burn down house
AUBURN — A Minot man, who police said had taken steps toward burning down his home and assaulted his wife in July, was charged this week with a related felony and six misdemeanors. An Androscoggin County grand jury indicted Corey Hamel, 36, of 744 Pottle Hill Road on a charge of attempted arson, a Class […]
Allegations spur district attorney to halt private prisoner transports
District Attorney Andrew Robinson referred to a six-page letter written by an Androscoggin County Jail inmate who detailed the account of her five-day trip from Florida to Maine last November caged in the back of a private prisoner transport van during which she was denied bathroom breaks and subjected to other inhumane treatment.
Caged in van No. 1304
Lewiston woman’s 5-day trip from Florida to Maine in a prisoner transport van was an ‘inhumane . . . hell.’
What happens when defendants are ruled incompetent for trial
With IQs too low to stand trial, some Maine defendants are being put back on the street again and again. Less help for them, more risk to the public.
Veteran judge reflects on life on the bench
LEWISTON – Robert Clifford didn’t go to law school to be a judge. He didn’t become mayor and, later, a state senator to sit on the bench. “No one sets out to be a judge in our system,” Clifford told a group of about 60 people Thursday at the Lewiston Public Library. Clifford was the […]
Mommy was murdered. Daddy was convicted. What happens to baby Savanna?
“A .38,” the man’s voice said. “She had a .38.” Static. Then a dispatcher. “Hold one second, sir.” More static. Then a toddler’s voice. “Mama boo boo,” it said. “Boo boo.” The dispatcher is back, asking, “Is the person conscious?” “No,” Daniel Roberts said. “No.” The toddler’s voice on the 911 tape appears to belong […]