Trooper’s records sought in slaying case

PARIS – Lawyers for the cook accused of the Labor Day weekend slayings of four people in western Maine are seeking access to medical and personnel records of the state trooper who was first to arrive at the scene of the grisly killings at an inn in Newry.

Christian Nielsen’s lawyers say testimony by Trooper Dan Hanson should be suppressed because his memory of the events “may have been affected by any mental trauma he suffered.”

The defense motion, filed in Oxford County Superior Court, said Hanson took an extended leave of absence after he discovered the mutilated bodies of three women and three dogs at the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast.

Attorneys Margot Joly and Ron Hoffman said the traumatic scene may inhibit the trooper’s ability to accurately recall comments made to him by Nielsen, as well as other events of that day.

A state police affidavit released shortly after the killings quoted Hanson as saying Nielsen told him he had committed the killings.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson said he objects to the motion because Hanson’s medical and personnel records are confidential and he is unaware of any material in the records that would raise reasonable doubt as to Nielsen’s guilt.

Nielsen’s lawyers also have moved to suppress his statements on grounds that officers failed to properly read him the Miranda warnings and he did not properly waive his Miranda rights.

Justice Robert Crowley plans a hearing July 2 on the evidence suppression motions.

Nielsen, 32, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and is scheduled to go on trial in October. He has undergone several mental health evaluations, but the results have not been made public.

After a dramatic weight loss resulting from his refusal to eat most foods, he was transferred under court order to the Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta, where he is being evaluated.

Nielsen faces charges of murdering inn owner Julie Bullard, 65, her daughter Selby Bullard, 30, and Selby’s friend Cindy Beatson, 43, on Sept. 3 and 4 at the inn. He is also charged with murdering James Whitehurst, 50, a guest at the inn, on Sept. 1 in Upton.