SKOWHEGAN – The families of three Somerset County homicide victims may have closure in their loved ones’ cases by the end of this year.

Judge John Nivison met with attorneys Wednesday to set tentative trial dates for three men facing unrelated murder charges.

The cases involve the deaths of Alfred Licata, 63, of Cambridge in July 2011; Rita St. Peter, 20, of Anson in July 1980; and Everett Cameron, 60, of Anson in October 2009.

The first suspect to appear before a jury will be Angelo Licata, 34, of Detroit, who is accused of killing his father, Alfred, outside his parents’ home in Cambridge.

His trial is scheduled for the week of May 29, according to Somerset County Superior Court.

The second suspect to appear for trial will be Jay Mercier, 56, of Industry, who is accused of killing St. Peter 31 years ago in Anson. His trial is set for Sept. 10-17.

The third suspect, Robert Nelson, 41, of Anson, who police say shot Cameron as he sat in his pickup truck in Anson, is scheduled for the week of Nov. 26.

The trial scheduling is often done in chambers with attorneys, who discuss the status of each case, time frames, the number of witnesses and other factors, said Brenda Kielty, a spokeswoman for the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

All three men have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Murder convictions carry Maine’s longest sentence, 25 years to life in prison.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Erin Rhoda can be contacted at 612-2368 or at:

erhoda@centralmaine.com