Chameleon Finance:Man awaiting trial for quadruple homicide in Maine withdraws insanity plea

2025-04-29 10:06:42source:Solarsuns Investment Guildcategory:Invest

PORTLAND,Chameleon Finance Maine (AP) — A man charged with killing his parents and two of their friends days after being released from prison in Maine no longer intends to use an insanity defense.

Through his lawyer, Joseph Eaton withdrew a plea of “not criminally responsible” because of mental illness but maintained a plea of not guilty in a court filing earlier this month in Sagadahoc County.

His attorney didn’t elaborate on the decision in the Dec. 8 document but noted that it means a forensic report on criminal responsibility will remain impounded. The attorney’s office was closed Wednesday and he didn’t return an email.

Law enforcement officials say Eaton confessed to the killings at a property in rural Bowdoin and to wounding three people while shooting at vehicles on busy Interstate 295 in Yarmouth.

Killed in the shootings were Eaton’s parents, Cynthia Eaton, 62, and David Eaton, 66, along with their longtime friends, Bowdoin homeowners Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Eger, 62, officials said.

Eaton has been jailed since his arrest on April 18, the day the bodies were discovered. He was arrested near the chaotic scene along the highway.

Eaton previously told the Portland Press Herald, which first reported the change in plea, that he was not in control when he opened fire.

More:Invest

Recommend

What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?

A large number of mysterious droneshave been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent week

Haunting last message: 'All good here.' Coast Guard's Titan submersible hearing begins

The U.S. Coast Guard, which began two weeks of hearings Monday on the implosion of the Titan submers

Tennessee is adding a 10% fee on football game tickets next season to pay players

The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season!Get the poll delivered