FARMINGTON, Maine (AP) - A Maine man accused of killing his girlfriend has pleaded not criminally responsible by reason of insanity.
The Sun-Journal reports 58-year-old James Sweeney entered the plea and waived a jury trial Thursday at Franklin Superior Court. Sweeney is charged with murder in the 2017 killing of 51-year-old Wendy Douglas.
Police say Sweeney killed Douglas while she slept in her Jay home. Investigators believe a baseball bat found in Douglas’ home was used in the killing.
Authorities say Sweeney, who is deaf, gave police a note that said, “I am going to jail cause I hurt my girlfriend.”
Sweeney is being held without bail at Franklin County Detention Center.
A bench trial is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2019.
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Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com
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