PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - The Maine Supreme Court denied convicted killer Dennis Dechaine's appeal for a new trial Tuesday.
It's the latest blow for the former farmer from Bowdoinham in trying to clear his name in the murder of 12-year-old Sarah Cherry back in 1989. While this was seen as Dechaine's best chance at getting a new trial, his attorney said he will not stop fighting to prove his client's innocence.
"We are not giving up. I'm still going to stay on the case, probably partner up with some other lawyers, to proceed either in federal or state court," said attorney Steven Peterson.
Peterson argued new DNA evidence pointed towards someone else. The high court ruled even with that new evidence, it would not make it probable that a different verdict would result. Now that the courts have shot down that argument for a new trial, Peterson said there are other avenues he can pursue.
The prosecutor who argued against Dechaine's appeal says he hopes this closes the book on this case.
"What we're really hoping is that this case, this decision will go a long way towards ending the myth that Dennis Dechaine is not guilty of this brutal murder," said Assistant Attorney General Donald Macomber.
Dechaine is currently serving a life sentence at the Maine State Prison.
