LEWISTON — Maine’s highest court ruled Tuesday that an Androscoggin County prosecutor did not discriminate against a black man when she rejected the only person of color from a jury that later found the man guilty of two felonies. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld Malik Hollis’ convictions — by an all-white jury — for […]
James Howaniec
Two men in court after gunfire exchanged in Bartlett Street apartment building
LEWISTON — Two men connected to a weekend shooting appeared in court Monday on related charges. Quentaris J. Leonard, 33, of 135.5 Bartlett St., was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a Class C crime, punishable by up to five years in prison. James L. Crump, 41, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was […]
Hearing in shooting to feature new witness
AUBURN — A Lewiston man convicted last year of two gun-related felonies is seeking a new trial, claiming new evidence should exonerate him. A hearing is scheduled for next week in Androscoggin County Superior Court, where Malik Hollis, 22, is expected to present a witness who was in the vicinity of the incident with her […]
High court hears appeal on claim of racial discrimination during jury selection
AUGUSTA — A lawyer for a Lewiston man convicted last year of two felonies sought Tuesday to convince the state’s highest court that the trial judge mistakenly allowed the prosecutor to strike the only person of color from the jury. Malik Hollis, 22, who is African-American, was convicted at trial of reckless conduct with a […]
A reason to vote against merger
I hope that residents of Lewiston understand that their city will be required to spend between $500,000 to $1 million to have a revaluation of all property completed in the city if a merger vote passes this November. Because the newly merged city would open its doors on Jan. 1, 2020, the revaluation would need […]
All charges against Lewiston man dismissed
AUBURN — Prosecutors dropped the remaining charges against a Lewiston man Tuesday, after a judge refused to reconsider her order that dismissed more than a dozen counts of welfare fraud against the man. At a brief Tuesday morning hearing in Androscoggin County Superior Court, Judge Susan Oram rejected the state’s motion seeking to have 13 […]
Maine’s criminal justice system is in crisis
I am a long-time criminal defense lawyer in Androscoggin County. I defend mostly indigent people who cannot otherwise afford to pay for a lawyer. Some of my clients have been charged with very serious crimes, such as homicides, drug felonies and sex offenses. Many more face charges that are less serious, but that nonetheless have […]
In rebuttal: Savings based on fact, not fantasy
This is in response to James Howaniec’s guest column (Feb. 26). Howaniec opposes the proposed merger of Lewiston and Auburn. He refers to the merger as if it were the brainchild of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In fact, the idea was endorsed by hundreds of citizens who signed petitions asking that the […]
High court denies Lewiston man’s bid for new murder trial
A Lewiston man convicted of murder in the 2013 slaying of 21-year-old Romeo Parent lost his bid for a new trial Thursday. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the conviction of William True, who was found guilty in December 2014 of murder and hindering apprehension or prosecution and sentenced by Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice […]
Time has come to develop a new 20-year plan for Lewiston
More than 20 years ago, I wrote a three-part series for the old Lewiston Evening Journal about the development of Lewiston’s riverfront and downtown. The articles called for public theater, riverfront walkways, restaurants, galleries and quality housing on Lisbon Street. I proposed rehabilitating the old Lewiston Hardware building into a new courthouse and tearing down […]