Judge rejects plea in homeless man’s slaying
COURTS

Judge rejects plea in homeless man’s slaying


By Judy Harrison
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KEVIN BENNETT
Stephen James sits in Penobscot County Superior Court in Bangor with his attorneys on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. James' murder plea was rejected by Justice Michaela Murphy, who gave James, 58, of Bangor, until Friday, Nov. 13 to decide if he wants to accept a new plea offer that would not include probation or withdraw his guilty plea to manslaughter and go to trial on a murder charge.

BANGOR, Maine — A Superior Court judge on Thursday rejected a plea agreement in the slaying of a homeless man 18 months ago.

Justice Michaela Murphy gave Stephen James, 58, of Bangor until Friday, Nov. 13, to decide if he wants to accept a new plea offer that would not include probation or withdraw his guilty plea to manslaughter and go to trial on a murder charge.

If James accepts the offer, he would be sentenced next week in Penobscot County Superior Court, the judge said.

James was charged with murdering another homeless man, Clyde “Pudge” Worster, 63, of Bangor on April 27, 2008, reportedly after a fight over beer. James pleaded guilty to manslaughter in July to slaying Worster at his transient campsite, located near the University College of Bangor campus between the water tower and Interstate 95.

Murphy said Thursday that she rejected the agreement of 20 years with all but 14 years suspended and six years of probation due to the nature of the crime and James’ extensive criminal record, which includes 13 felonies, nine of which she described as crimes of violence. Murphy also said that James had not done well on probation previously.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson, who is prosecuting the case, said the new offer was 20 years, but defense attorney F. David Walker IV of Bangor would be free to argue for a lesser sentence.

Murphy said if James did decide to withdraw his guilty plea to manslaughter, a trial could be scheduled for March or April in the new Penobscot Judicial Center, set to open on Nov. 23.

If convicted of murder, James would face a minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life. The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 30 years.

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Comments
17 comments on this item

Finally a Judge that does something right!

This judge is not gonna let beer stealing slide!

I for one am glad the judge did not take the plea deal. It should be murder with whatever length of sentence they decide on( more than the 25 yr minimum) or manslaughter with the 30 year term and no early outs. He should be pretty harmless if he lasts to be 88 years old. I mean 13 FELONIES !!! This is the definition of a menace to society.

About time! How many chances should someone get to "get it right"? why do we have to wait until someone dies?

now I'm not against you all, and your right some people (a lot of people), don't need prison, they need help. prison is not helping them, and in the long run its not helping us, when we put people in prison for certain crimes, i understand some crimes need it, its pretty much just saying "i don't want to or don't know how to deal with you, so here's a cell where you cant hurt 'normal' people you live here and we will live our lives" we don't see what these people go through in prison, it is, believe it or not, survival of the fittest, and we look down on these people like they are infected and if we give them a chance or get too close we are gonna catch the "bad guy" diseases. I'm not against prison, but i think that sometimes, in some cases, help should be either provided, or mandatory, sometimes all it takes is for them to see that not everyone is against them....

How many chances should this loser get? Put him away where we will be safer.

hopeforall 10:30~ What are you suggesting be done with a man who has 13 previous felonies, is violent and can't find his way in life? Are you suggesting this man be put in a mental hospital until he's deemed "cured"?

I"m just not sure what your thoughts are, could you elaborate?

Prison is not the place for him, the cemetary would do just fine. Another example of why we need the death penalty! He has a violent record and killed another person over beer. What good to society is he? For the rest of his life he will be supported by the system, save time, save money and give him a lethal injection!

lock this creep up, and throw away the key. 10 to 1 he kills himself in jail for lack of no beer and dt's

I am pretty liberal when it comes to people who commit crimes where they may be helped by lesser sentences with mental health services etc. But this guy needs the maximum sentence with no parole in the Warren Super Max.

Read "The Belly of the Beast"....This guy needs to be at least put away for life,but people should know that our "Correctional System" creates these people in certain instances, and spits them back out into society on a regular baisis. If you lock a dog up in a cage or on a short chain...and then wack him with a stick every day for years,(ie: mental abuse)....would you be surprised if he bit you after you decided to let him out?

liking this judge.. ALOT

militaryman you said it perfect so i will leave it at that

I like this judge! Good going.

Wonder what kind of beer it was?

WOW!!! This man obviously needs some serious mental help, he is violent and has an extensive criminal record, but than again he is also homeless and a severe alcoholic! The comments that most of u have left make me sick to my stomach...I want front row tickets to your judgement day! How are any of u any better by wishing death onto this man whom u kno nothing about, nothing but what u have read in the paper? Those who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones!

To HOPEFORALL---You're too hopeful....13 Felonies most of them violent....Get Real...THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN FIX THIS GUY!! He should be locked away from society so he cannot take another life. We can lock him up in your house. You can work with him since your so hopeful!!

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