Trial and Error

MADAWASKA, Maine — Longtime supporters of convicted child killer Dennis Dechaine  say they are encouraged by a judge’s ruling in favor of new DNA testing in his case, and are raising money to pay for the tests.

By Jessica Potila | Bangor Daily News | August 2, 2022

A Knox County jury convicted Dechaine in 1989 for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry who was babysitting at a Bowdoin home when she went missing on July 6, 1988. Her body was found two days later covered by brush in the woods several miles away.

Dechaine has unsuccessfully appealed his conviction five times over the years. His last effort was rejected by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court in 2016. In his latest request, Dechaine hopes the results of new DNA tests will allow him to have a new trial and ultimately exonerate him.

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