Mugging victim objects to sentences
One of the people accused of involvement in the mugging of Boothbay Harbor artist Kathleen Billis is expected to plead guilty at a hearing Thursday, Sept. 20, in Portland. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
One of the people accused of involvement in the mugging of Boothbay Harbor artist Kathleen Billis is expected to plead guilty at a hearing Thursday, Sept. 20, in Portland. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Kathleen Billis was attacked in the parking lot of Trader Joe's in Portland on April 5, but she planned to appear at one of her alleged attackers' sentencing hearing on September 12 in Portland and ask that he not receive the maximum sentence. Due to a paperwork issue regarding the accused's transport from Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, the sentencing hearing was rescheduled.
Brandon Smith, 25, of Alna is expected to plead guilty to charges in connection with the Boothbay Harbor artist's April 5 mugging, Smith's lawyer William Avantaggio confirmed. A plea and sentencing hearing for Smith is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20, in Portland. Two others have also been charged in the Billis case: Renee Monteiro, 25, of Alna, faces a theft charge; Douglas Schneider, 24, of Exeter, N.H., is charged with robbery and aggravated assault. Jury selection for Schneider's trial is set for Monday, Sept. 24.
Billis decided to take action when Prosecutor Tracy Gorham told Billis that she was seeking the maximum sentence for the alleged assailants.
“I believe in rehabilitation," Billis said. "These are 20-year-old kids with no prior records. Putting someone that young in jail for 6 to 8 years will turn them into hardened criminals. I just don't think it's right.”
During the attack Billis sustained serious injuries that later required a complete shoulder replacement.
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