Man found guilty of reckless conduct in shooting case

ROCKLAND – A Cushing man was found guilty Friday of reckless conduct in a December 2004 shooting incident involving an acquaintance but was acquitted on a charge of aggravated assault.

Bruce Meklin, 37, remains free on bail pending sentencing, which was continued by Justice S. Kirk Studstrup on Friday in Knox County Superior Court.

The two-and-a-half-day trial ended Thursday and the jury deliberated for several hours before recessing for the day. On Friday, jurors continued deliberations for a couple of hours before coming to a verdict on each count.

“It’s satisfying to get a conviction for reckless conduct,” District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau said following Friday’s verdict. “It’s a serious act.”

As to the aggravated assault charge, Rushlau said there were multiple defenses raised.

Defense Attorney Eric Morse could not be reached Friday for comment.

On Dec. 18, 2004, Meklin shot Michael P. Doughty, 44, of Tenants Harbor three times after the men got into an argument over the way Meklin talked to his stepson, who is also Doughty’s cousin.

Doughty thought Meklin spoke to the youth inappropriately while criticizing him for allowing a puppy to mess in the house.

Doughty and Meklin disputed the matter during cell phone conversations, which led Doughty to Meklin’s house, where he smashed in a door and assaulted Meklin.

Doughty was found lying on the side of the road next to a red-and-white truck, near the intersection of Routes 97 and 1 in Warren, when Trooper Patrick Hood responded to the emergency call.

On June 13, Doughty pleaded no contest to aggravated criminal trespass, a charge which was reduced from a more serious Class B felony to a lesser Class C felony. His sentencing is Monday in Superior Court.

According to Rushlau, Meklin’s sentencing will likely take place in January or February in Augusta, where Justice Studstrup will be presiding. He would not say what his sentencing recommendations are for either of the men.