Reese to appeal conviction in murder of Brunswick girl

SKOWHEGAN – Defense attorneys say they will appeal the murder conviction of a construction worker found guilty of bludgeoning a Brunswick teenager whose body was found buried near his home.

Reese faces 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced for the death of Cody Green, 16, who prosecutors say was beaten with the blunt end of a steel hatchet found in Reese’s home after she disappeared in May 2002.

It took the jury 21/2 weeks to hear the evidence but only two hours Wednesday to find Reese guilty.

Members of Green’s family filled two rows of the courtroom and were heard sobbing after the verdict was announced in Somerset County Superior Court. They told reporters the tears were joyful.

Susan Goulding, Green’s mother, said the family could begin to heal now that Reese has been convicted.

“This to us is all about justice for Cody,” said Victor Coffin, Green’s uncle, who was asked to read a statement on behalf of the Brunswick teenager’s family. “Our pain is deep, but is nothing compared to the pain Cody must have felt at the hands of Mr. Reese.”

“I am so glad that they saw through his lies and his mask,” said Green’s half sister Sierra Reil.

Defense lawyer Andrews Campbell, who during the trial tried to convince jurors that investigators planted evidence in an attempt to frame Reese, said he would appeal.

“It’s very likely an appeal will be filed. We disagree with the verdict,” he said.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese said she was not surprised by the verdict, given the overwhelming evidence in the case.

“There was a mountain of evidence here,” Marchese said. “All the disparaging remarks about the police did not play well with the jury.”

Green’s body was found a month after her May 26, 2002, disappearance in a shallow grave behind the home where Reese was living with his mother.

Prosecutors presented evidence at the trial that blood carrying Green’s DNA was found inside the Bowdoin home where Reese had been living.

Reese gave investigators several accounts of what happened the night she disappeared. At the trial he testified he had nothing to do with the murder and he regretted giving misleading statements to investigators.

Reese also testified he never noticed the bloodstain that state police investigators say they found on a wall in his mother’s home.

Marchese has asked for a psychiatric evaluation before Reese is sentenced. No sentencing date has been set in the case.

Green’s family said they are hoping for a sentence of more than 60 years.