In case some have been following this story from a year ago - Maine boating accident

[Ed Harrow]

Venue change sought in Maine boat crash trial

8/2/2008, 10:56 a.m. EDT
The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) * A Massachusetts man who is scheduled to stand trial next month for manslaughter and other charges arising from a boat crash last summer on Maine's Long Lake that killed two people is seeking to have the trial delayed or moved out of Portland.

Lawyers for Robert LaPointe, 39, of Medway, Mass., and Bridgton say extensive media coverage of the case has created a "climate of hostility" toward the defendant.

The defense also is seeking to exclude the results of a blood alcohol test taken after the crash, saying it was obtained illegally and is not scientifically reliable.

Prosecutors say LaPointe's blood alcohol content was 0.11 three hours after his boat slammed into a smaller craft on Aug. 11, 2007, killing its two occupants, Terry Raye Trott, 55, of Naples and Suzanne Groetzinger, 44, of Berwick.

The legal limit for operating a motor vehicle in Maine is 0.08.

In 14 separate motions, defense lawyers sought to block prosecutors from introducing certain statements, photographs and other evidence at the trial that is scheduled to begin Sept. 8 in Cumberland County Superior Court.

In addition to the blood test, evidence in question includes data recovered from LaPointe's 32-foot boat, photographs of the bodies of Trott and Groetzinger and statements from witnesses about consumption of alcohol by LaPointe at other times.

Motions by the prosecution ask that jurors be transported to the town of Harrison to view the accident scene and that Crowley exclude any evidence the defense may present about the blood alcohol levels or alcohol consumption of Trott or Groetzinger.

LaPointe, who is free on $50,000 bail, also faces charges of operating under the influence and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
© 2008 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

I'm one or two people removed from Mr LaPointe.

Any new developments on the crash at Quicks Hole? I've seen nothing.

[htom]

Updated minutes ago, the judge says the BAC computations come in, other decisions deferred until jury selection.

It sure looks like vehicular manslaughter to me.

[George Roberts]

So those operating both boats were drunk. And each side, the defense and prosecution, thinks the drinking on their side in not relevant but drinking by the other side is.

Tough to get a fair decision when the jury does not get the Whole truth.

[The Bigfella]

I dunno George - I was foreman of the jury once. To re-use a phrase that pre-dates your escapade, we hung him.

[StevenBauer]

So those operating both boats were drunk.

Somehow I think the boat going 50 mph in the dark is more at fault than the boat that was anchored.


Steven

[Chris Coose]

I know the DA in Portland pretty well and she is on to this one like a steel trap.

[rooster]

Google... Bismarck Dinius Lake county ca. That one started on 5/5/06. It involved a cop, hence the time frame? I started a thread on it a while back. Is it that hard to have fun without drinking??? Rooster

[Yeadon]

Somehow I think the boat going 50 mph in the dark is more at fault than the boat that was anchored.


Steven

Maybe ... depends where you were anchored ... though, to make my own blanket statement, 50 mph in the dark has got to be too fast for conditions.

[rooster]

Maybe ... depends where you were anchored ... though, to make my own blanket statement, 50 mph in the dark has got to be too fast for conditions.

Ya Think??

[Yeadon]

The north end of Lake Washington just after sundown is a racetrack ... the boats come cruising Mach 2 up the east side of the lake, back toward the Samamish Slough and Kenmore. (The east side of the lake is the more direct route for those lazy bastards with motors.)

If you're in a little row/sail boat like mine, you have to keep your eyes open. Of course, that last puff after sundown can be the best of the day, so you can't exactly go in early.

[George Roberts]

"I dunno George - I was foreman of the jury once."

I believe you heard both sides of the case when you were on the jury. And then you made a decision.

[Ed Harrow]

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/...emplate=photos

I've heard nothing on this but a comment that the CG knows who was at the helm of Reasons, but that they are not talking.

[The Bigfella]

"I dunno George - I was foreman of the jury once."

I believe you heard both sides of the case when you were on the jury. And then you made a decision.

Well, both sides of the case - but the coward rapist wouldn't speak. His victim could - and did though. Of course, we didn't find out until afterwards that he'd done it before too.

There's some real scumbags out there George.

[Lew Barrett]

There's some real scumbags out there George.

Ain't that the truth!