News

Maine Supreme Court to Hear Appeal in Apartment Fire Case

Maine Supreme Court to Hear Appeal in Apartment Fire Case

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine’s highest court will hear the appeal of a landlord convicted of code violations in a fire that killed six people.

The Bangor Daily News reports arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday afternoon at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.

Landlord Gregory Nisbet was acquitted of six counts of manslaughter at trial. The code violations Nisbet was convicted of were related to safety of the apartment building where the 2014 Portland blaze broke out.

Nisbet’s lawyer, Luke Rioux, argued in previous court filings that the Maine fire code is unconstitutionally vague. Rioux has also claimed prosecutors broke the rules of evidence disclosure.

Rioux said Tuesday he believes the conviction was based on an incorrect legal standard.

Nisbet paid a settlement in February to each victim’s family, along with a survivor.

Latest Headlines

4 hours ago in Local

Collins, King Vote for Failed Plan to Block Govt Shutdown

Senator King notably broke with Democrats, whom he typically sides with, to back the spending plan.

5 hours ago in Local

Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Whale, Bird Parts

The man was investigated as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Operation Raw Deal.

7 hours ago in Local

Anthem requests extension of deadline as negotiations with Northern Light stall

A spokesperson for Anthem insurance says the company has requested that Northern Light Health extend a deadline for reimbursement negotiations.

7 hours ago in Local

Lockdown lifted at SMCC in South Portland after police respond to person in crisis

A lockdown and shelter-in-place order has been lifted at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

9 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage

The 58-year-old Oscar-winning actor petitioned on Tuesday to end her marriage to the 57-year-old Grammy winning country singer in a Nashville court. The documents state the couple has undergone "marital difficulties and irreconcilable differences."