Affidavit says suspect planned fishing trip to kill Bangor man

ELLSWORTH — Bradley resident James D. “Tiny” Young, 42, made an initial appearance in 5th District Court Monday morning on a murder charge in connection with the death on May 17 of Bangor resident Michael G. Marshall, 36, of Union Street.

Marshall’s remains were found Sunday morning in the woods off Route 9 in the Sabao Lake region of Hancock County near the Washington County line. According to Assistant Attorney General Garry Greene, the autopsy indicated Marshall had been shot and stabbed.

Judge John Romei ordered Young to be held without bail at the Hancock County Jail pending a bail hearing, scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, June 25, in Ellsworth. Attorney Julio DeSanctis was appointed Young’s legal counsel.

Little is known at this point about Young, except that he is considered an unemployed indigent. He moved to Bradley from Bangor in recent years. Greene said there was reason to believe he was originally from another state.

According to an affidavit filed by Detective Bruce E. Setler of the Maine State Police, Young admitted to detectives after his arrest Sunday that he had shot Marshall in the back of the head with a .25-caliber pistol, stabbed him, and then buried the body with the help of Scott C. Harlow in the area near Sabao Lake.

It was Harlow’s information, given to Deputy Robert Carter of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday night, that led to the discovery of Marshall’s remains and to Young’s arrest.

Harlow, 36, of Bangor had been arrested Saturday evening for possession of stolen property. While being questioned at the Penobscot County sheriff’s office, Harlow told Carter he had information about a homicide.

Carter contacted Setler, who met with Harlow shortly after midnight at the Penobscot County sheriff’s office in Bangor.

According to Setler’s affidavit, Harlow said he had not told anyone about the incident as he was “afraid of Young.”

As recounted in the affidavit, Young, Marshall and Harlow had ridden together in a 1983 GMC Jimmy down Route 9 toward the Sabao Lake region for a fishing trip in May. The three apparently had known each other for two or three years, Young and Harlow having lived in the same apartment building in Bangor at one time.

Harlow said Young had indicated in the weeks before the trip that “he was going to `pop’ Marshall.” Harlow said Young apparently had “conned” Marshall into allowing Young to cash Marshall’s Social Security checks. Young allegedly told Harlow that Marshall was “asking too many questions.”

About three miles from Sabao Lake, the trio stopped for Harlow to put fishing gear back into the vehicle.

Harlow said he then heard a “bang” and looked as Marshall’s body hit the ground. Harlow said he saw Young standing over Marshall holding a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol. Harlow told Setler he saw a bullet wound in the back of Marshall’s head.

According to the affidavit, Young then put Marshall’s body on the floor of the vehicle in front of the rear bench seat and drove toward Route 9 with Harlow sitting in the front passenger seat.

Harlow reported he then heard “gurgling” noises coming from Marshall. According to Harlow’s statement, Young reached between the front bucket seats and repeatedly stabbed Marshall in the abdomen until there were no more sounds.

After traveling farther on a dirt road, Young stopped the vehicle, handed Harlow a shovel, and told him to start digging a grave. Harlow said he dug a hole about 1 to 1 1/2 feet deep.

Harlow told Setler that Young placed Marshall’s body in the grave. Harlow also described to Setler the clothes Marshall was wearing.

On Sunday morning Harlow led Setler to the site of what appeared to be a shallow grave. Dr. Edward David, a medical examiner, arrived that morning with search dogs. Within 400-500 yards of the grave site, the remains of Marshall were found along with articles of clothing, a key chain with the name Michael on it, and a black leather Buck knife case.

Harlow also pointed out the location where Marshall’s jacket had been discarded from the vehicle on Route 9. Maine State Police Trooper Phillip Pushard saw a jacket in that area Sunday.

According to the affidavit, Harlow told police Young discarded several bloody items from the vehicle. Harlow said Young gave him the pistol to throw out the window and down a steep embankment, and also took Harlow to a stream near Bradley, where he told him to try to clean the inside of the vehicle.

Greene said Monday he had no information about whether Marshall had been reported missing in the month between his death and the discovery of his remains. He indicated the date of a probable cause hearing would be set at the bail hearing this Thursday.

Young’s vehicle has been impounded and taken to the Maine State Police Crime lab in Augusta.

Young had been arrested last weekend in Penobscot County on a charge of operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor.