Dennis Dechaine was convicted of the abduction, sexual torture, and murder of Sarah Cherry, a 12-year-old girl. The crime happened on July 7, 1988 in Sagadahoc County, Maine. After a trial lasting eleven days, a 12-member jury decided unanimously that Dechaine was guilty. Dechaine is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
On his arrest, Dechaine consulted with an attorney, George Carlton, now deceased. During the search for Sarah Cherry, a state prosecutor contacted Carlton, after Carlton had interviewed Dechaine, to ask two questions: whether Sarah Cherry was dead and whether the search was concentrated in the right place. According to the prosecutor, Carlton gave affirmative answers to both questions and the answers proved accurate. Two other attorneys, including one who is now a judge, have stated under oath that Carlton told them Dechaine was guilty.
|
