Carmel man sentenced to 47 years Judge notes Robichaud’s lack of remorse in murder

BANGOR – A Carmel man was sentenced Thursday to a total of 47 years in prison for the “premeditated murder” of another man in Carmel and the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Donald Robichaud, 43, showed no emotion and said nothing during the sentencing hearing in Penobscot County Superior Court. His lack of emotion or remorse as the case progressed through the court system played against him Thursday.

With credit for “good time,” which amounts to about 15 percent of an inmate’s sentence, Robichaud likely will serve about 40 years in prison and will be 83 when released.

He pleaded guilty in January, one day before he was to stand trial for murder, attempted murder and reckless conduct with a firearm.

Calvin Hamilton was shot five times in the back as he entered the home of a woman he was dating in Carmel on March 25, 2001. The woman, Wendy Clark, was Robichaud’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his children.

After hearing brief remarks from members of Robichaud’s family and a member of the victim’s family, Superior Court Chief Justice Nancy Mills sentenced Robichaud to 45 years in prison for the murder and 18 years with all but two years suspended to be served consecutively for the attempted murder. Mills added two years to be served concurrently on the reckless conduct charge.

The state had requested a 57-year sentence, and the defense had asked for a sentence of 37 years.

In making her decision, Mills noted Robichaud’s extensive criminal record, which spans more than two decades. She also spoke of his decision not to speak to the court and his lack of obvious remorse.

“I haven’t heard anything from him through this whole process,” she said.

Robichaud’s daughters, as well as his baby grandson, were visiting at Clark’s home when Robichaud shot Hamilton in the back and then burst into the trailer and fired a shot at Clark. As Clark rushed to push the baby out of the way she tripped on a package of diapers on the floor and fell, and the bullet missed her.

On Thursday, Billy Jo Parker, Robichaud’s daughter, said she was torn because she loved Hamilton and also loved her father. It was her baby who was in the house that day.

“I don’t know what he was thinking. I don’t know what was going through his head. I don’t think he was in his right mind. He’s a loving and caring man. Ain’t nobody perfect. He and Calvin were always bothering each other and for whatever reason Dad did that,” said Parker.

Robichaud’s sister, Theresa, asked the court to give her brother and the family hope that someday he could spend another Christmas with his family.

“I know we’ll be old then, but I’d like to be able to go home this afternoon and tell my mother that someday Donald will get out of jail,” she said through sobs.

But in a brief statement the Hamiltons asked that Robichaud receive a life sentence, referring to the shooting as an execution.

Robichaud’s brother, Timothy Robichaud, became angry during the hearing, approaching the podium and saying that he didn’t believe his brother killed anyone. His comments were interrupted by his sister, who discouraged him from saying any more.

After hearing comments from family members and attorneys, Mills said, “I don’t know what else you could label this but premeditated murder. This murder was premeditated in every sense of the word. Just by chance Ms. Clark is here as an attempted murder charge and not a second murder charge.”

Robichaud on other occasions had threatened to shoot Hamilton and Clark because he was upset about their relationship. On the day of the killing, he had called Clark’s home and learned that Hamilton was on his way to see her.

Robichaud drove the short distance from his home to Clark’s and was in his truck waiting for Hamilton when the other man pulled into the driveway.