Trial and Error

Apr 23, 2010

The Department of Corrections is still investigating the medical emergency two weeks ago.

By Trevor Maxwell 
Staff Writer

Dennis Dechaine is back in the Maine State Prison, after staying at a Portland hospital for more than two weeks with an undisclosed medical condition.

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Corrections Commissioner Martin Magnusson said Thursday that Dechaine was transported to the prison in Warren sometime in the past few days.

He would not say whether Dechaine has been returned to his regular housing unit, or if he is staying in the prison infirmary or another special unit.

Dechaine, 52, is one of the state’s best-known prisoners. He is serving a life sentence for the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry in Bowdoin in 1988. He maintains that he is innocent.

A judge is expected to hear arguments later this year in his most recent bid for a new trial, based on DNA evidence.

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Staff Writer Trevor Maxwell can be contacted at 791-6451 or at: