AUGUSTA – Questions about the conviction of Dennis Dechaine for the murder of a 12-year-old girl in 1988 are echoing in the State House.

The Maine House gave final approval Wednesday to a bill allowing the release of confidential investigatory records pertaining to Dechaine, who is serving a life sentence for the slaying of Sarah Cherry.

The bill surfaced as supporters of Dechaine lobbied Gov. John Baldacci and Attorney General Steven Rowe for the release of records from the investigation, prosecution and trial of the former Bowdoinham farmer. His supporters want Dechaine to get a new trial.

The publication last fall of the book “Human Sacrifice” rekindled controversy surrounding Dechaine’s conviction. In his book, James Moore of Brunswick maintains that Dechaine could not have killed the Bowdoin girl.

The records-release bill, LD 1097, which faces a final Senate vote, is cosponsored by several Aroostook County lawmakers. Dechaine is a Madawaska native.