Defendant’s no-show in Superior Court disappoints students

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Everyone was in place Tuesday in anticipation of the opening of a jury trial – attorneys, judge, jury, witnesses and 15 Stearns High School students who were to observe their first jury trial.

Everyone, that is, except the defendant.

When Scott Fair, 43, failed to appear in court Tuesday to stand trial on three counts of burglary, three counts of theft, cultivation of marijuana and criminal attempt, Justice Nancy Mills ordered a warrant for the Sebec man’s arrest.

Fair’s failure to appear was a disappointment to the Millinocket high school’s English III and business law students, who left school early for the hour-long trip to Piscataquis County Superior Court.

After dismissing the jury and advising them to stay in contact with the clerk’s office in the event Fair was apprehended and the case was put back on the trial schedule later this week, Mills remained behind to answer students questions.

The only question, however, was addressed to the court stenographer, who was asked where she obtained her degree.

Accompanying the students were Suanne Lindsey, business law teacher, and Claire Moriarty, an English teacher.

The teachers said they hoped the students could return to Dover-Foxcroft for another trial at a later date. The students plan to conduct a mock trial in February.