PORTLAND – A conference Thursday to discuss a possible plea agreement for Westbrook School Committee member Suzanne Joyce, who is accused of hindering an investigation into a special-education technician’s relationship with a 17-year-old student, ended without resolution.

Joyce waited outside the courtroom in Cumberland County Unified Criminal Court with a group of friends and family while attorneys met with Justice William Brodrick behind closed doors.

Joyce’s attorney, William Childs, said afterward that his client submitted to a polygraph test earlier this week that indicated that she did not attempt to hinder the investigation of Dereck Gilman, who worked at Westbrook Middle School as a special-education technician before resigning in April.

Joyce is accused of obstructing Gilman’s prosecution by contact with another special-education technician, Andrew Keirstead, prior to Gilman’s resignation.

“Mrs. Joyce passed the polygraph test with three relevant questions regarding her intent when she had conversations with Andrew Keirstead,” Childs said.

Childs said that Joyce didn’t even know that Kierstead was involved in prosecution attempts against Gilman when she talked to him. “In my opinion, Suzanne Joyce is due an apology,” Childs said.

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Gilman, 24, of 162 Central St., Westbrook, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of unlawful sexual touching and sexual abuse of a child. He is accused of engaging in sexual acts with a 17-year-old student from May 1, 2012, to Jan. 30, 2013, while an official in the school district.

Joyce has declined to describe the relationship between the teenager, Gilman and herself.

Staff Writer Scott Dolan can be contacted at 791-6304 or at:

sdolan@mainetoday.com


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