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Maine man convicted in killing of 19-year-old requests new trial, claims lack of evidence

Photo: Hancock County Jail


A man found guilty in the killing of a 19-year-old is requesting a new trial, claiming a lack of evidence.

23-year-old Jalique Keene of Bar Harbor was found guilty in the sexual assault and strangulation of Mikaela Conley in May of 2019. According to CBS 13, he’s now asking the Maine Supreme Court to overturn his conviction and grant him a new trial.

Keene, who was sentenced to 58 years behind bars, admits to spending time with Conley the night of her death, but says he doesn’t recall the details of what happened. He was seen on surveillance video dragging her body.

Keene’s lawyer says the trial should have been moved out of Hancock County due to pretrial publicity, and that there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction.

Justices heard oral arguments on Wednesday but no date’s been set for a final decision.

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