HOULTON, Maine (WAGM) – A man who has served 10 years out of his 65-year sentence was at the Houlton District court for an evidentiary hearing in the post-conviction review.
Reginald Dobbins received his sentence in 2015 after the murder of Keith Suitter.
On Friday at the evidentiary hearing, Dobbins’ attorney brought to the judge multiple accusations about the fairness of the trial in 2015.
Including: misuse of alcohol under the legal drinking age and possible statements under the influence. The state attorney believes that Dobbins was not as impaired as he claims.
Dobbins was brought to the stand as a witness to the events in 2015 that led to his arrest. Dobbins’ attorney, John Pelletier, made the opening statements to Justice Harold Stewart.
“Impairment aside, it’s our contention that Mr Dobbins was obviously facing serious jeopardy, and although he had given statements before, it would have been an act of assistance to advise Mr. Dobbins that he shouldn’t speak to the state police,” says Pelletier.
Dobbins’ previous attorney and the criminal defense lawyer who worked on the case in 2015 were also examined about their work with Dobbins during that time.
“Additionally, the evidence would be that Mr. Dobbins asked Mrs. Tobarus to change the venue. There’s record in the court, in the proceedings, that Mr Dobbins was well known in Houlton and had a bad reputation,” says Pelletier.
News media were asked not to record during the witness testimonies, but Dobbins’ previous attorney was quoted as saying, “He wasn’t falling down drunk or anything, but he could have been drinking.” Referring to the moment of Dobbins’ advised meeting with the state police, which ultimately ended with his arrest. At that time, Dobbins was 18 years of age.
“The evidence would be that at that time, Mr. Dobbins was consuming drugs and alcohol, which was or should have been apparent to Attorney Pickering,” says Pelletier.
The State of Maine attorney Katie Sibley argued that Dobbins was not as impaired as he claimed due to his ability to answer questions using reason. Sibley also discussed the other claims regarding the fairness of the 2015 trial
“I think the hearing went very well today, kind of as I expected and anticipated from the state’s perspective. Mr. Dobbins received effective assistance of counsel throughout the entire process, and I am very confident and hopeful that the court will agree with the state and deny his petition for post-conviction review,” says Sibley.
Dobbins’ current attorney did not wish to talk to reporters. Dobbins did express that he is innocent to reporters as they were leaving the courtroom. A decision has not been made by the judge.
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