SKOWHEGAN (AP) — A Maine man arrested last year and charged with killing a woman more than three decades ago is due to go on trial this week in Somerset County Superior Court.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Thursday in the trial of 56-year-old Jay Mercier of Industry, who has pleaded not guilty to killing 20-year-old Rita St. Peter. Her battered body was found on the roadside in Anson in July 1980. Mercier was tied to the killing through DNA evidence.
Brenda Kielty, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, says it’s the oldest case tried by the state since Thomas Mitchell Jr. was convicted in 2009 for the 1983 stabbing death of Judith Flagg.
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