No bail for suspect in Winslow killing > Psychologist interviews Stephen Lee

WATERVILLE — Accused killer Stephen Lee was denied bail and returned to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta Wednesday following a Harnish bail hearing in Maine District Court in Waterville.

Lee is the 21-year-old Waterville man who turned himself in to police early Saturday morning after telling his family he had killed a woman in Winslow.

The body of 76-year-old Madeline Tardiff was found lying on the bed in her Smiley Avenue home. A state medical examiner reported the woman died of blunt trauma to the head and asphyxiation.

Lee made his first appearance in court in Augusta on Monday and was subsequently scheduled for the bail hearing. A Harnish hearing allows a defendant to be held without bail if the accused is believed to have committed a capital offense, such as murder or rape; poses a risk to the judicial system by being likely to flee; or poses a risk to society.

According to Lee’s court-appointed attorney, Pamela Ames of Waterville, Judge William Anderson found probable cause for the murder charge levied against Lee. Bail was denied in the belief Lee’s release posed a threat to the community or to others.

Following Monday’s court appearance, Lee was interviewed by Dr. Charles Robinson, an Augusta psychologist. Ames declined to comment on Robinson’s findings or any plans for an insanity defense on Lee’s behalf. Ames had requested funds for Robinson’s participation because of the “issues of mental abnormality” raised in the affidavit about Lee’s alleged confession to the crime.

The affidavit prepared by state police detectives contained statements by Lee’s family and their version of what he told them about the crime. Their statements focused on Lee’s apparent confusion about the crime and “voices” he reportedly heard telling him to kill Tardiff after she discovered him in her home.

Ames anticipates the case will be presented to the Kennebec County grand jury before further court action is scheduled.