Hearing delayed in Hope slaying

ROCKLAND – A bail hearing scheduled for today in Knox County Superior Court for Hope resident Steven Pomeroy, who is charged with murder, has been continued.

At defense counsel’s request, Pomeroy’s hearing has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. July 28, at Knox County Superior Court, according to the Superior Court clerk on Thursday.

Pomeroy, 23, was charged with murdering Jessica Marie Nichols, 22, on July 2. She died of multiple sharp-force and blunt-force injuries, according to the state medical examiner’s office.

Pomeroy allegedly told police after his arrest that he had lost his temper over a comment she made about his ex-fiancee, and he bludgeoned and stabbed her. After cleaning up the blood in his apartment at 30 Pearse Road in Hope, he allegedly placed her body in the trunk of his car and drove to a friend’s house in another part of Hope.

State police Trooper Jeremiah Wesbrock of Troop D Barracks in Thomaston said he heard the radio transmission of the 911 call, and at 8:25 a.m. arrived at the address where Pomeroy had driven his car. Wesbrock and Knox County sheriff’s deputies found Nichols’ body in the car trunk.

Pomeroy was arrested at the scene. He made his initial appearance July 3 at Knox County Superior Court in connection with Nichols’ death. Pomeroy stood before District Judge Joseph Field, who formally charged him with murder and ordered him held until a bail hearing.

Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea appeared in court to represent the state, while Waldoboro attorney Philip Cohen represented Pomeroy at the hearing.

Pomeroy remains in Knox County Jail.

A memorial service for Nichols will be held at 1 p.m. today at Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ in Waldoboro.