The Latest: Man convicted of killing sheriff’s deputy

PORTLAND, Maine – The Latest on the deputy killing trial (all times local):

1:50 p.m.

A Maine man accused of placing a gun to the neck of a sheriff’s deputy and pulling the trigger has been convicted of murder.

Both sides agree that defendant John Williams fired the shot that killed Cpl. Eugene Cole last year. The trial focused on his state of mind.

The defence contended Williams’ drug use and lack of sleep left him too impaired to meet the legal standard for intentionally killing Cole.

But Deputy Attorney General Lisa Marchese said Williams understood what he was doing and the consequences of his actions.

The jury delivered the guilty verdict Tuesday afternoon.

Cole was shot when he tried to arrest Williams during a late-night encounter on April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock. Williams was arrested several days later outside a cabin after a manhunt.

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10:50 a.m.

Jurors have begun deliberations in the murder trial of a Maine man who’s accused of placing a gun to the neck of a sheriff’s deputy and pulling the trigger.

Attorneys used their closing arguments Tuesday to focus on defendant John Williams’ state of mind.

Both sides agree that Williams fired the shot that killed Cpl. Eugene Cole.

The defence contends Williams’ drug use and lack of sleep left him too impaired to meet the legal standard for intentionally killing Cole. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Marchese said Williams understood what he was doing and the consequences of his actions.

Cole was shot when he tried to arrest Williams during a late-night encounter on April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock. Williams was arrested several days later outside a cabin after a massive manhunt.

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5:30 a.m.

Testimony is wrapping up in the murder trial of a Maine man who’s accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy.

The trial of John Williams was delayed Monday to allow the defence the opportunity to call a final expert witness. If the witness testifies, then that would happen Tuesday morning, followed by closing arguments.

Both sides agree that Williams fired the fatal shot. At issue is his state of mind. The defence contends Williams’ drug use and lack of sleep left him too impaired to form the necessary intent to commit murder.

Cpl. Eugene Cole was shot when he tried to arrest Williams during a late-night encounter on April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock.