Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The desperate act of a self-destructive system
Moved by news of Dennis Dechaine's attempted suicide, I've just studied that part of Maine law that pertains to "trafficking in prison contraband."
It's clear that Knox County (and AG's office?) officials are risking mental dislocation in their over-reaching attempts to stifle the growing awareness of the injustices visited upon MSP inmate #1725 by responding to his suicide attempt with an indictment for criminal possession of prescription drugs.
Forget the lawyers with their jargon and the bureaucrats their stone walls. In the court of public opinion, it's finally the straight face test that must be met.
Try and keep one here:
* While the indictment uses the inflammatory word "trafficking," the only drugs found were in Dechaine's blood stream. There were none in his cell or on his person.
* After 22 years of frustrated effort to present DNA and other new evidence of his innocence in a new jury trial, Dechaine's desperate but "reasonable response to an intolerable situation" (his words) is being twisted to conform to a section of the law code (Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, Part 2, Chapter 31, Section 756) whose heading, ironically, is "Aiding escape."
* Even though Dechaine is working out two hours a day and is reinvigorated, he is being kept in solitary confinement indefinitely, presumably because he is a risk to himself.
* Anyone who has visited prisoners knows how difficult it would be to smuggle in drugs. Likely Dechaine obtained them from prison staff, yet he is the only one being charged.
* Why go to the trouble and expense of trying to convict someone who is already serving a life sentence without parole?
Why, indeed. Unless it is the equally desperate act of a justice system trying to destroy itself.
Bernie Huebner
Waterville
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4 COMMENTS
heyyou said...
“While the indictment uses the inflammatory word "trafficking," the only drugs found were in Dechaine's blood stream. There were none in his cell or on his person.”-------------- That is trafficking in prison contraband. Title 17-A Chapter 31 section 757 “after 22 years of frustrated effort to present DNA” -------------I was presented several times to courts and laughed out of court. Anyone who has visited prisoners knows how difficult it would be to smuggle in drugs. Likely Dechaine obtained them from prison staff, yet he is the only one being charged. “Anyone who has visited prisoners knows how difficult it would be to smuggle in drugs. Likely Dechaine obtained them from prison staff, yet he is the only one being charged.”-------So it is the prison fault Dechaine a drug crazed killer? “Why go to the trouble and expense of trying to convict someone who is already serving a life sentence without parole?”---------Because he is still committing crimes, even in prison.
July 24, 2010 at 10:19 AM Report abuse
stan1 said...
According to the statute, "possession" is prima facia evidence of trafficking...In the likely event that Dennis will receive a new trial, his 5 years will have to be served if he is acquitted... As for fingering staff involved in drug trafficking, it will not happen, as the code is heavily weighed against "Rats." Drugs are the currency of choice within Maine State Prison and are the structure for a corrupt administration... Stan Moody www.stanmoody.com
July 24, 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse
OldGuy said...
FYI everybody: "heyyou" IS ERIC WRIGHT, the former assistant AG who prosercuted Dechaine AND made false statements regarding a non-existent "confession" he claimed that Dechaine made. For evidence, see http://www.trialanderrordennis.org/pdfs/report.pdf
July 24, 2010 at 3:40 PM Report abuse
skowreader said...
lol...everything Dechaine says is true and everything the State says is a lie. Poor boy is so picked on..NOT! Society is safer with this killer behind bars!
July 25, 2010 at 7:49 AM Report abuse