PORTLAND, Maine — Maine's supreme court on Thursday reversed an order for a new trial for a Portland man who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting his sister’s boyfriend.
A judge last year vacated Mark Cardilli Jr.’s 2019 manslaughter conviction and granted a new trial after concluding that his trial attorneys provided inadequate counsel. Cardilli was freed on bail after the judge’s decision.
Now, Cardilli faces the possibility of going back to prison to complete the remainder of his 7 1/2-year sentence. His lawyer, Thomas Hallett, said he and Cardilli were “deeply disappointed” and were reviewing his legal options.
Cardilli testified that he fatally shot Isahak Muse in self-defense during a confrontation that escalated after Muse refused to leave the Cadilli family’s home when asked by the parents. Cardilli was 24 at the time, and Muse was 22.
The shooting caused tension in Portland’s Muslim community, with some calling it a hate crime by a white man against a Black Muslim.
But Cardill’s attorneys argued that the case was not about race or religion but about the limits of state self-defense law.
The confrontation happened when Muse, who was dating Cardilli’s 17-year-old sister, refused to leave after a 1 a.m. curfew set by the parents. Muse was barred by the sister's bail conditions from being in her presence, court documents indicated.
Pandemonium broke out, and Cardilli retrieved a handgun. Cardilli said he was assaulted by Muse and feared for his life when he pulled the trigger.