BANGOR, Maine — John De St. Croix, the homeless man sentenced to life in prison for setting a delivery truck on fire, killing two people who were sleeping inside, will appear in Maine Supreme Court Wednesday morning where his counsel will argue his life sentence.
According to a press release, De St. Croix appeals his sentence, arguing that the trial court erred in overruling his challenge for cause of a juror who had been exposed to information on social media regarding the deaths of the victims. De St. Croix further argues that the sentencing court erred in setting the basic sentence and in ultimately sentencing De St. Croix to life in prison.
John De St. Croix was convicted last spring of arson and murder. In January, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murders and 30 years for arson, which is what state prosecutor Leane Zainea recommended.
The family of Bridges and York spoke to the court on Jan. 14. Many of them becoming emotional including York's father, Donald York.
Donald York was removed from the courtroom when he started calling De St. Croix names and walking towards him. Bangor Police detectives who investigated the case were in the courtroom and escorted Donald York out of the courtroom.
When the court was back in session, other family members spoke to the court.
York's siblings spoke about their sister and told the court that she wasn't always homeless but in the last three or four years of her life she struggled with addiction.
They spoke of York's daughter who is now being raised by her grandparents.
Police say John De St. Croix argued with one of the victims before the fire was set, and surveillance video places him at the scene in March 2018.
