Trial to begin for Rockport man accused of killing girlfriend

PORTLAND – David Haraden, the Rockport man accused of beating his girlfriend Maxine Witham to death in a Portland hotel room in January, is scheduled to go on trial for murder Monday at Cumberland County Superior Court.

Haraden, 48, lived with Witham, 35, in her Main Street home in Rockport and had been romantically involved with her for about two years.

The couple had traveled in late December to Newburyport, Mass., where Haraden had to appear in court for a hearing on a probation revocation. Haraden had been convicted there of assault on an officer.

Returning to Maine, they stopped at the Eastland Hotel in Portland.

On Jan. 4, Witham was found dead in the hotel room. Police estimate she had been dead for 24 hours or more.

A medical examiner reported she died from trauma to vital organs, the apparent result of a beating.

According to police, Haraden made telephone calls from the hotel in which he disclosed that Witham was dead. One person receiving that information was able to notify police, who found Haraden in the room with Witham.

In interviews with investigators, Haraden told different versions of how Witham died, including one in which a young man had come into the room and beat her, police said. Haraden said he pursued the unknown assailant, but was himself beaten up in the street.

Haraden is a martial arts expert, with a black belt in tae kwon do.

Previously, he had been arrested in Rockport on an assault charge relating to a domestic conflict with Witham, but the charge was later dismissed.

Haraden has entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge. He has been held at the Cumberland County Correctional Facility since he was arrested in early January.

In May, Haraden argued in Knox County Probate Court that he should inherit Witham’s house, producing a hand-written note he said was Witham’s last will and testament. A judge denied the request, naming Witham’s father, Dr. Gary Witham, as her heir.

Lisa Marchese, an assistant attorney general, is expected to prosecute the case for the state. Justice Robert Crowley is expected to preside at the trial.

Jury selection will begin Monday morning, with opening arguments possible that afternoon.