Judge denies bail for former murder defendant from Portland

PORTLAND – Seiha Srey, who spent 19 months in prison on a murder charge that later was dropped, is back in jail after being denied bail in connection with a Halloween break-in.

At a prosecutor’s request, a Portland district judge ordered the 19-year-old Srey held without bail on Monday. The Portland man’s arrest came while he was facing separate criminal charges.

Srey has encountered a series of troubles since a murder charge against him, stemming from a stabbing at a restaurant parking lot, was dropped in 1999.

In recent months, Srey has been charged with assault, driving after suspension, carrying a concealed weapon and now burglary.

Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said she was pleased with Judge Rick Lawrence’s decision to deny bail. Anderson said Srey “does kind of act like he thinks he can get away with anything.”

Srey’s lawyer, Karen Dostaler, said the judge’s move was unnecessary. She said people are charged with residential burglary all the time in Superior Court, and it’s very unusual to revoke bail in those cases.

In the latest case, Srey and a friend were turned away from a Halloween party, returned hours later, threatened the host, assaulted another person and broke a door, lights and windows, Anderson said.