Search warrant impounded in killings at Bethel B&B

PARIS – A judge has granted a defense motion to impound a search warrant in the case against Christian Nielsen, the 31-year-old cook accused of fatally shooting four people in the Bethel area over the Labor Day weekend.

Superior Court Justice Robert Crowley granted the motion Monday and there was no objection from the state, the Sun-Journal of Lewiston reported on its Web site.

“The search warrant contains alleged behavior and information that would clearly inflame the public and be so prejudicial to the defendant thus making it virtually impossible to receive a fair trial in Oxford County or any where else in the State of Maine,” Nielsen’s lawyer, Ron Hoffman, wrote in his motion.

Crowley also scheduled an Oct. 13 hearing on the state’s request that Nielsen undergo a psychological examination. The defense has objected to that motion.

Nielsen was being held without bail on charges of murdering James Whitehurst in Upton, then killing Julie Bullard, her daughter Selby Bullard and Cindy Beatson at the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast in Newry.