Indictment expected in hostage-taking case

SKOWHEGAN – A probable cause hearing scheduled for Monday morning in Skowhegan District Court for Kelly Simpson, 36, of Hartland was continued to April because Simpson is expected to be indicted next week by a Somerset County grand jury.

Simpson allegedly took four men hostage at gunpoint in mid-February at a Skowhegan home.

During the ordeal, the victims reported that Simpson “appeared to be engaging in conversations with people who were not present or possibly imaginary, while he was holding them at gunpoint,” according to court documents.

After being held for more than four hours, the hostages wrestled a shotgun from Simpson and beat him. During the fight, Simpson was shot in the upper leg. Simpson fled to Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, was treated for his injuries and then was arrested.

The four men were Ira Weeks, Rory Colby, Brian Legasse and Brian Pouliot. They told police that Simpson repeatedly pointed the gun at them and threatened to kill them.

Simpson is charged with four counts each of kidnapping, criminal threatening and reckless conduct with a weapon and after his arrest was ordered to undergo psychiatric examination.

Should Simpson not be indicted, a probable cause hearing date was set for 11 a.m. Monday, April 29.

He is being held on $150,000 surety bail or $75,000 cash. First Assistant District Attorney Evert Fowle said the Somerset County grand jury is expected to be seated April 1.