Cookson murder trial date set for Nov. 26

BANGOR – The trial of a New Gloucester man accused of murdering his former girlfriend and a toddler she had been babysitting in Dexter two years ago is set to begin on Nov. 26 in Penobscot County Superior Court.

Jeffrey A. Cookson, 38, faces two murder counts after allegedly shooting to death Mindy Gould, 20, and Treven Jacob Cunningham, 20-months, in a Dexter home on Dec. 3, 1999. Both victims were shot in the head at close range with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

Just a few days before the shooting, Gould had obtained a restraining order against Cookson in Newport District Court. She told Dexter police that Cookson harassed and stalked her after she ended their relationship in mid-November.

Pending his trial, Cookson will remain at the Penobscot County Jail without bail.