Wednesday, May 16, 2012
SKOWHEGAN – William G. Guerrette Jr. spent a month in a coma after a brutal machete attack inside his home the attack, and bears scars on his left arm and head, he told a jury Thursday in Somerset County Superior Court.
Guerrette pointed to his arm and head as he showed Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley where he was slashed during testimony in Day Six of the trial of Daniel L. Fortune.
Guerrette also held up his left hand to show where he is missing one finger from the attack, and said doctors reconstructed his skull with pieces taken from his back and hip.
Guerrette testified he awakened to the sound of the intruder alarm and went down the hall to investigate, finding “a tall black man” in or near the dining room.
Guerrette said he called out, “What are you doing? Get out!”
Then he suffered a blow.
“I was shocked and stunned. I was hit from the side,” he said. “It was the hardest hit I've ever had in my life. I thought maybe it was a baseball bat.” He testified he heard a clang. “I thought maybe a metal bat.”
He later learned the crushing blow came from a machete.
He scrambled back to the master bedroom to find the Glock 9-mm he had acquired after the Nov. 19, 2007, theft of a safe from his home. “I never had time to practice shooting it,” he said. “I didn't put a round in the chamber.”
He touched the trigger and the laser sight showed on the intruder’s shoulder. Guerrette said he had thought that would scare the intruder off. Then, when the person didn’t leave, Guerrette couldn’t get the gun to fire.
Guerrette testified he was slashed numerous times, and he recalled witnessing Nicole — who came out of her room at the top of the stairs — being hacked at about five times, and her cowering in a corner.
Final arguments are anticipated today in the home invasion trial of Fortune, 22, of Augusta.
Fortune is accused of taking part in the predawn machete attack at the Pittston home of the Guerrettes on May 27, 2008.
A co-defendant, Fortune’s former foster brother and roommate in Augusta, Leo R. Hylton, 20, pleaded guilty to crimes related to the home invasion and was sentenced Feb. 26 to 90 years in prison with all but 50 years suspended and 15 years probation for his role.
Fortune is facing more than a dozen charges.
Attorney Pamela Ames was to begin presenting the defense case this afternoon, and Justice Michaela Murphy told jurors Wednesday that testimony would conclude today.
Copyright ©2012 MaineToday Media, Inc.
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