Oral arguments are at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland unless otherwise indicated. Additional dates may be scheduled to accommodate workload.
Caution: This schedule is subject to change. The case summaries are prepared by Court staff for the convenience of the public and are not to be construed as statements of the Court.
Oral Arguments: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
at the Cumberland County Courthouse, Portland
Plaintiffs Chris Calnan and others filed a complaint for a judgment declaring invalid a rule adopted by Maine Emergency Medical Services requiring that medical service workers be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. The Superior Court (Kennebec) dismissed Calnan’s complaint.
Calnan appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in determining that (1) Maine Emergency Medical Services had not exceeded their statutory authority and (2) there were no procedural defects in the promulgation of the rule. Calnan further argues that the trial court erred in declining to issue findings regarding whether the rule contravened the purposes of the Emergency Medical Services Act.
10:40 a.m.
Han-23-371
Michael Good et al. v. Town of Bar Harbor
Maxwell Coolidge; Jonathan P. Hunter; Stephen W. Wagner
Vote by residents on proposed modifications to Town charter as one question or as separate questions as to each modification; remedy for incorrect presentation to voters
After a jury trial, Richard Peters was convicted of hunting deer after having killed one (Class D) and unlawful possession of a wild animal or bird (Class E). Peters appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) denying his motion for a mistrial after the State offered, in the presence of the jury, evidence regarding boot prints and boots found in Peters’s home, when the court had determined that evidence regarding the boots causing those prints could be provided only through expert testimony; (2) permitting the state to change at trial the basis for the charge of unlawful possession of a wild animal or bird from Peters’s alleged illegal hunting from a standing to his alleged baiting of deer; (3) violating his double-jeopardy rights by failing to dismiss the unlawful-possession charge given his acquittal on a count charging him with violation of the statute that prohibits both baiting deer and hunting from a stand overlooking foods attractive to deer; (4) denying Peters’s requested jury instructions related to accompanying and assisting an apprentice hunter; and (5) amending his sentence from an alternative sentencing program to jail time after he appealed from the conviction. Peters further argues that he is entited to the return of his firearms that were seized from him.
11:30 a.m.
Pen-23-376
State of Maine v. Ronald A. Harding
Leanne Robbin; Rory A. McNamara
Manslaughter; sufficiency of evidence; propriety of prosecutor's closing argument
The trial court dismissed for lack of standing Kateryna Bagrii’s complaint for adjudication of de facto parentage of two children of John Campbell. Bagrii appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in basing its determination that Bagrii lacked standing on the fact that Bagrii’s relationship with the children was not “fostered and supported” by the children’s mother. Campbell cross-appeals, supporting the dismissal for lack of standing but arguing that the trial court erred in excluding certain evidence contained in records of the Department of Health and Human Services.
1:30 p.m.
Ken-23-348
Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative et al. v. Board of Environmental Protection et al.
Elizabeth A. Boepple; Sean R. Turley; Ellen P. Masalsky; Patrick I. Marass; Katherine A. Joyce; Rachael McEntee; Robert I. Martin; Jack Dafoe
Natural Resources Protection Act; discharge of wastewater from aquaculture facility; independent review of impact on water quality; economic considerations
After a jury trial, James Green was convicted of OUI (Class D). Green appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in denying his motion for discovery sanctions because the State did not designate as an expert witness the law enforcement officer who was a “drug recognition expert” and who testified about his evaluation of Green and his determination that Green was under the influence of drugs.
2:20 p.m.
Cum-23-329
Mark Cardilli Jr. v. State of Maine
Thomas F. Hallett; Leanne Robbin
Post-conviction review; manslaughter; expert testimony regarding use of force; ineffective assistance of counsel
The trial court granted Mark Cardilli’s petition for post-conviction review on the ground of ineffective assistance of counsel and vacated Cardilli’s conviction of manslaughter (Class A). The State of Maine appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) permitting testimony from a “use of force” expert that was not relevant to the issues raised in the post-conviction petition and (2) finding that Cardilli met his burden of showing prejudice from the alleged failure of his counsel to “vigorously” argue that deadly force was necessary, given that the Law Court, in its decision on Cardilli’s appeal from the conviction, had already resolved that issue.
3:10 p.m.
Som-22-182
State of Maine v. Nicholas W. Norris
Jason Horn; James M. Mason
Dismissal of charge by State; speedy trial; probable cause to support search and tracking warrants
Oral Arguments: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
At the Cumberland County Courthouse, Portland
Josh Rinaldi filed a complaint against the Maine Correctional Center (MCC), the Department of Corrections, and the State of Maine for a slip-and-fall injury he sustained within the MCC when he was incarcerated. The Superior Court (Androscoggin County) granted summary judgment in part to Rinaldi. The defendants appeal, arguing that the Superior Court erred in finding that the MCC facility is not a public building and the walkway where Rinaldi fell is not an appurtenance to a public building and that therefore the defendants—all of which are government entities—are not immune from suit under the Maine Tort Claims Act.
10:40 a.m.
Pen-23-230
Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB v. David D. Blake et al.
William Fogel; Richard W. McCarthy Jr.
Foreclosure; standing; sufficiency of evidence of debt remaining
Ricky and Monica Conant appeal from an order of the Superior Court (Kennebec County) finding them in contempt for obstructing Peter Beckerman’s use of a right-of-way over their driveway. The Conants argue that the Superior Court erred because (1) the underlying order establishing Beckerman’s right-of-way does not prohibit them from temporarily blocking the driveway, (2) they acted in reasonable good faith in their interpretation that the underlying order permits their temporarily parking within the right-of-way, (3) the sanction imposed is not among the sanctions authorized by M.R. Civ. P. 66(d), and (4) certain evidence should have been barred under the doctrine of res judicata.
11:30 a.m.
PUC-23-388
Industrial Energy Consumer Group v. Public Utilities Commission
Anthony W. Buxton; Joseph G. Donahue; Leslie Raber; Jordan McColman; William S. Harwood; Andrew Landry
Electricity rates; allocation among customers of "stranded costs" resulting from required net-engery-billing arrangements; preemption by the Federal Power Act; validity of Commission's rate-design proceedings
Jamie Pacheco appeals from an interlocutory order of the Superior Court (Androscoggin County) disqualifying her attorney, Jeffrey Bennett, Esq., because he is likely to be called as a witness. Pacheco argues that the Superior Court erred because the defendants failed to establish a sufficient evidentiary record to support disqualification.
1:30 p.m.
Ken-23-420
In Her Presence et al. v. Department of Health and Human Services
Frank D'Alessandro; Oriana Farnham; Ellen P. Masalsky; Brendan Kreckel; Margaret Machaiek
Elegibility of noncitizens for transitional support services under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
The Superior Court granted MMG Insurance Company a summary judgment on its claim for a declaratory judgment that it had no duty to defend or indemnify Joseph McNeely for McNeely’s actions in unintentionally causing the death of Philip Greenlaw during McNeely’s and Greenlaw’s playful wrestling. McNeely’s landscaping business was insured by MMG, and McNeely was visiting Greenlaw’s home the evening of Greenlaw’s death in part to measure Greenlaw’s lawn to provide an estimate for services that McNeely might provide for Greenlaw. Greenlaw’s estate appeals, arguing that there was a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Greenlaw’s death occurred during the conduct of McNeely’s business.
2:20 p.m.
Ken-23-426
William Clardy et al. v. Troy D. Jackson et al.
Carl E. Woock; Stephen C. Smith; Kimberly L. Patwardhan
Authority of Governor to call special session of Legislature after Legislature declined to do so; cooperation between legislative leaders and governor; authority of courts to review actions of governor and legislative leaders in calling special session
The Superior Court entered judgments on claims by John R. Luongo against Michael A. Luongo, and on Michael’s counterclaims against John, regarding the distribution of property that belonged to their mother when she died. John appeals, arguing that (1) the court erred in denying John’s motion to dismiss Michael’s claim for conversion because the claim was premised on the erroneous conclusion that ownership of personal property passes to devisees immediately upon the death of the owner of the property; (2) the court exceeded its authority when it ordered replevin of personal property, in effect improperly converting Michael’s conversion claim into a replevin claim; (3) the court erred in failing to follow the procedure set out in the mother’s will for the distribution of personal property; (4) the court erred in declining to exercise jurisdiction over John’s claims seeking reimbursement for the funeral expenses and the costs of administration of the mother’s estate and trust.
3:10 p.m.
Som-22-182
State of Maine v. Nicholas W. Norris
Jason Horn; James M. Mason
Topics and summary to be announced
Upon suspecting Nicholas Norris of trafficking in drugs, law enforcement obtained warrants in Penobscot County to track and search Norris’s vehicle. Law enforcement stopped Norris’s vehicle near the border between Penobscot and Somerset Counties. Norris was indicted in Penobscot County for trafficking in drugs. Norris moved to suppress the traffic stop, and the trial court denied the motion.
On the first day of trial, the State filed a notice of dismissal of the charges, stating that an investigation “suggested” that Norris was stopped in Somerset County more than 1,800 feet from the border with Penobscot County. Norris objected to the dismissal, but the trial court accepted the dismissal.
After a jury trial in Somerset County, Norris was convicted of two counts of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs (Class A), one count of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), and criminal forfeiture. Norris appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in (1) granting the motion to dismiss the Penobscot matter without prejudice because the resulting delay violated Norris’s right to a speedy trial under the Maine and United States Constitutions and (2) denying his motion to suppress because the warrants were not supported by probable cause and law enforcement did not comply with the requirements of M.R.U. Crim. P. 41(g).
Oral Arguments: Thursday, May 9, 2024
At the Cumberland County Courthouse, Portland
Ability of person adopted by one natural parent and that natural parent's spouse to inherit from other natural parent; effect of change in statutory provisions regarding inheritance by adoptees
The Business and Consumer Docket (BCD) dismissed the claims of several Maine hospitals for negligence, fraud, unjust enrichment, and conspiracy against several manufacturers, marketers, distributers, and sellers of prescription opioids. The hospitals appeal, arguing that the BCD erred by (1) ignoring facts alleged in the complaint and dismissing the complaint without providing an opportunity for the hospitals to amend the complaint; (2) determining as a matter of law that the injuries to public health caused by the defendants’ actions did not constitute a public nuisance and caused “special injury” to the hospitals; (3) determining that the defendants were not liable for the hospitals’ injuries caused by the foreseeable unreasonable risk of harm that the defendants created; (4) creating a privity requirement for an unjust enrichment claim; (5) requiring for the fraud claims allegations of injury to each hospital caused by specific statements directly to that hospital; (6) determining that the hospitals failed to sufficiently plead that defendants’ conduct proximately caused the hospitals’ injuries; and (7) determining that the harm pleaded by the hospitals is too speculative to support recovery of damages.
10:40 a.m.
And-23-310
Helen Crabtree v. Central Maine Medical Center
John P. Gause; Brooke K. Haley; Harper A. Weissburg; Peter G. Callaghan
Unlawful employment discrimination; back pay, front pay, and tax offset as remedies
The Town of Kennebunkport appeals from the Superior Court’s determination that its code enforcement officer erred as a matter of law in denying the application of 15 Langsford Owner LLC for short-term-rental licenses for eleven condominium units on its property, arguing that the code enforcement officer correctly found that the property was being used as an inn or hotel in 2021 and therefore the units were not “legally existing residential dwelling units” that would qualify for short-term-rental licenses.
11:30 a.m.
Som-23-326
State of Maine v. Steven Edwards
Paul Cavanaugh; Peter J. Cyr
Possession of sexually explicit material of a minor under 12; staleness of tip to law enforcement that formed basis of probable cause for search warrant; "possession" of or "access" to images on allocated space on computer hard drive; prosecutorial comments on images for which no charges were brought; jury instructions on accessing images with intent to view them
After a jury trial, the Superior Court entered judgment for the Estate of Peter A. Smith and against John R. Henson, Mercy Hospital, and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems in the amount of $4,000,000 on the Estate’s wrongful death claim alleging medical malpractice. The award included an amount equal to the present value of Peter Smith’s projected lifetime earnings. Henson, Mercy, and Eastern Maine Healthcare appeal, arguing that Maine’s wrongful death statute does not permit an award for pecuniary loss where the Estate has not proved that the statutory beneficiaries—here, Peter Smith’s parents—were deprived by the death of a present or future economic advantage.
1:30 p.m.
Aro-23-257
State of Maine v. Lee Ann Daigle
Lara M. Nomani; Neil J. Predergast
Manslaughter; application of current sentencing principles for 1985 crime; due process in sentencing proceeding
The Superior Court vacated the Aroostook County Commissioners’ determination that they did not have jurisdiction under 36 M.R.S. § 844 to consider the appeal of Cassidy Holdings, LLC, from the denial by the City of Caribou Board of Assessors for an abatement of property taxes for land that Cassidy owned. The county commissioners appeal, arguing that the Superior Court erred in its interpretation of section 844(1) and (2), and that those subsections give exclusive jurisdiction over appeals of denials of property tax abatements to the State Board of Property Tax Review.
2:20 p.m.
Cum-22-334
State of Maine v. Alexander Russell
Emily C. Protzmann; Kate E. Marshall; Rory A. McNamara
Gross sexual assault; jury instructions; sentencing
Alexander Russell appeals from a judgment of the Unified Criminal Docket convicting him of gross sexual assault (Class A), gross sexual assault (Class B), unlawful sexual contact (Class B), unlawful sexual contact (Class C), and unlawful sexual touching (Class D). Russell argues that the trial court erred by (1) denying his request to instruct the jury that a poor-quality police investigation into the alleged crimes can raise reasonable doubt about a defendant’s guilt; (2) failing to give a specific-unanimity instruction; (3) instructing the jury that they could consider whether there was evidence of a motive or lack of motive for any witness to lie; and (4) increasing his sentence because of his “lack of remorse” when there was no evidence to support a finding of a “lack of remorse.”
3:10 p.m.
Pen-21-362
State of Maine v. Damien Osborn
Jason Horn; Timothy E. Zerillop
Brian J. Fournier appeals from orders of the Business and Consumer Docket (BCD) (Duddy, J.) (1) dismissing his claims against Flats Industrial, Inc., and three individual fellow shareholders (collectively Flats) for breach of fiduciary duty and (2) denying his motion to amend his complaint for a third time. Fournier argues that the BCD erred in (1) determining that amending his complaint for a third time would be futile; (2) determining that his direct claim for breach of fiduciary duty was not a proper direct claim but was a derivative claim, given that he had alleged that the other shareholders had denied him his right to vote as a shareholder; and (3) dismissing his derivative claim given that Flats’s denial of his request to the corporation to take action on some of his claims was wrongful, and he was not required to make a request of the corporation on all his claims because making a request on the remaining claims would have been futile.
Flats moved to dismiss Fournier’s appeal as untimely because the appeal was filed more than 21 days after the stipulation of dismissal that disposed of the last of Fournier’s claims against them. The Law Court ordered that the motion be considered with the merits of the appeal. Fournier argues that a motion for a protective order that Flats filed with the stipulation of dismissal prevented the stipulation of dismissal from constituting a final judgment.
Future Dates
Oral Arguments
Cases on Briefs
Week of April 22, 2024
May 7, 8, and 9, 2024, at Portland
June 4, 5, and 6, 2024, at Bangor
Week of June 17, 2024
[No oral arguments scheduled for July or August 2024]
[No on-briefs consideration scheduled for July or August 2024]
September 10, 11, and 12, 2024, at Portland
Week of September 23, 2024
October 8, 9, and 10, 2024, at high schools and Augusta
Week of October 28, 2024
November 12, 13, and 14, 2024, at Bangor
Week of November 25, 2024
December 10, 11, and 12, 2024, at Biddeford and Portland
Week of December 23, 2024
January 7, 8, and 9, 2025, at Augusta
Week of January 20, 2025
February 4, 5, and 6, 2025, at Portland
Week of February 17, 2025
March 4, 5, and 6, 2025, Portland
[No on-briefs consideration scheduled for March 2025]
April 8, 9, and 10, 2025, at Augusta
Week of April 21, 2025
May 6, 7, and 8, 2025, at Portland
Week of May 19, 2025
June 3, 4, and 5, 2025, at Augusta
Week of June 16, 2025
[No oral arguments scheduled for July or August 2025]
[No on-briefs consideration scheduled for July or August 2025]