A curious journalist and undaunted legal team help lead the convicted killer to long-awaited freedom as he is granted bail.
Matt Byrne
Matt Byrne has covered crime and public safety for the Press Herald since 2016. It is his second beat since being hired at the Press Herald in late 2012, when he left the Boston Globe's suburban news bureau. Matt grew up outside Philadelphia, moved to Boston to attend Emerson College and now loves living in Maine. When he is not nerding out on court documents or listening to a police scanner, Matt loves to work on old cars, make things out of metal and try new craft beers. Offers to drive your race car, or news tips, are always welcome.
Posted inLocal & State, News
In first hours of freedom, disbelief it was real after 25 years in prison
Anthony Sanborn Jr. reflects on his life since the fateful day he was convicted of murder to his release on bail after new evidence emerges.
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Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Man convicted of 1989 Portland murder granted bail after star witness recants
The unprecedented decision comes after a legally blind witness from Anthony Sanborn’s 1992 murder trial says detectives ‘basically told me what to say’ on the stand.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Harpswell teenager missing since Monday is found safe
Lilia Simmons, 16, is picked up by her brother close to her home after she contacts him on Facebook.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Profiler for Sanborn defense says slaying was likely work of serial killer
He says the evidence in the 28-year-old case points away from the man now behind bars, as the state’s star witness prepared to revisit her past testimony Thursday.
Posted inNation & World, News, Politics
Sen. King questions whether the White House has a clear Syria strategy
And he echoes the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation in calling on the Trump administration to engage with Congress if the president chooses to pursue a more active role in the country’s civil war.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawyer for convicted murderer seeks review, bail after 25 years
The attorney accuses police of a coordinated effort to implicate Anthony H. Sanborn Jr. in the killing of Jessica L. Briggs, including withholding evidence and coercing witnesses.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
South Paris woman pleads to buying gun for felon who died in shootout
The firearm that Stephanie Knightly, 50, bought in August 2014 was used the next day in the shootout with police in which Steven Piirainen was killed.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Westbrook tax collector who stole $118,000 is sentenced to 6 months
Ann Marie Williams, 52, of Falmouth was also ordered to repay the $118,000 in cash payments she skimmed from city coffers.
Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Portland responds to 8 suspected overdoses in about 24 hours
None of the overdoses were fatal, police said.