Trial and Error

Aug 19, 2011

PORTLAND, Maine — Convicted murderer Dennis Dechaine, who has been trying to prove his innocence for more than 22 years, was dealt another setback Friday when a judge ruled against his attempt to introduce two expert witnesses who Dechaine’s attorney said believe he could not have been the killer.

Defense attorney Steve Peterson of Rockport said he had two witnesses ready to say that based on body decomposition evidence from the 1989 trial, Dechaine was in police custody at the time 12-year-old Sarah Cherry died.

“It would have shown that he is absolutely innocent and that he deserves a new trial,” said Peterson. “[The court’s order] basically slams the door on us being able to bring in any time-of-death evidence.”

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Christopher Cousins

BDN Staff