AUGUSTA ( AP) — A bill addressing domestic violence, prompted by the killings of a family in Dexter last June, is coming up for a legislative hearing.
The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee was scheduled to take testimony on the bill this morning. Rep. Ken Fredette’s bill amends the Maine Bail Code to provide protection for those likely to be harmed by a defendant in a domestic violence case.
It says bail in those cases would be determined only by judges, not bail commissioners. It also requires the judge to review the defendant’s criminal history, and says electronic monitoring may be a condition of bail.
Fredette, a Newport Republican, promised legislation after the killings last June of Amy Lake, a kindergarten teacher in Dexter, and her children, 12-year-old Monica and 13-year-old Coty, by the children’s father.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less