In Kennebec County Superior Court today, 32-year-old Eric Bard plead not criminally responsible by reason of insanity to several counts of child rape in his second trial.  The conviction in the first trial was overturned after an improper meeting between the case’s Judge and the District Attorney.

in 2014, Bard pleaded guilty and was convicted of 21 counts, including gross sexual assault and exploitation of a minor in connection with the sexual assault of a 4-year-old he was babysitting.  Prosecutors say Bard also filmed the acts on his cell phone.  He was charged with 50 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Superior Court Justice Daniel Billings, who is now presiding over the case, has said the court would enter an order to have Bard’s competency reviewed by the State Forensic Service.  The State previously performed a competency review in 2014, when the initial case was argued, and decided that Bard was competent to stand trial.

The trial is expected to be argued in January.