AUGUSTA, Maine — The parents of a Maine man serving a 45-year prison sentence for murder say they plan on moving back to the state they left almost a quarter century ago so they can be closer to their son.
Stephen and Ann Bathgate used to live in Vassalboro, but moved to New Port Richey, Fla., in 1988.
They told the Kennebec Journal they have put in a bid on a home in Freedom. They made up their mind to move after spending this summer in Maine and making twice-weekly visits to the state prison in Warren to see their son, Peter George Bathgate.
Their son pleaded guilty in January to killing to 47-year-old Paul Allen in December 2010. Prosecutors say Bathgate was angry that Allen and his girlfriend had flirted.
Just curious, why is this newsworthy? I know none of the people involved, and just became aware of the story throught this news release….. But why is this important enough to be listed in the news? Do you guys just pick up anything that comes across the AP and print it?
Agreed. I see nothing here to make it a newsworthy article.
Things aren’t good at BDN.
Well, I am sorry to hear that, they are our major newspaper on the area. I just could not help but wonder….
I agree. I think they probably want to keep their business to themselves. And not to keep reminding the community that their son is a murderer. BDN should let them move on with their lives.
The BDN should let them move on with their lives? WHAT ?!!!!
Do you think the family objected to the article?
To the warm and fuzzy family photo? (either the AP/UPI/BDN…doesn’t much matter what agency)
Come on…. it is a puff piece…it’s to create sympathy for the terrible misfortune they have been subjected to because their son murdered someone. Hey…I get the unconditional love angle of parents for a chiild and all that, but no tears will I weep because a convicted murderer needs a 40 inch TV and money to spend on milk and cookies while he is in the stir. If they really want to keep their business to themselves and move on, I would highly suggest they turn down and not participate in future articles about the trials and tribulations of being the parents of a man convicted of murdering another human being. Yeah …shame on you BDN (or any other NEWS agency) for harrassing these folks. (By the way…how did the BDN get word that they moved from Florida to be near their son. Do they (BDN) have agents monitoring the lives of all murderer’s parents and kin? oh, wait….”They told the Kennebec Journal they have put in a bid on a home in Freedom.” Wonder who contacted who …hmmm
This is one of the most depressing diatribes I’ve read in a long while. You must have a terrible life to be so bitter.
Pretty much.
Took the words right from my mouth! Who cares if some dudes parents move back to Maine? My sister’s sister just moved to Lincoln just so you know! lol
Believe it or not, it’s called a Human Interest Story. And it does have merit to share such news items with the public.
??
Thanks for the breaking news BDN… I seriously could not have made it through the day if you did not tell me about this!
The Kennebec Journel has details and I still don’t understand the point of airing all of this tragic story
This is just one of many many families that move to be closer to the prison. At least this couple doesn’t have dependent children that are in need of services that tax the school system to the limits.
If you want to think of it that way, this is a net plus to Maine. They will buy a house here, register a car here, shop here, and pay taxes here…
According to the DOJ as of 2001 the average daily cost was $62.00 a yearly rate of $22,650.The numbers vary wildly by state. Maine was the most expensive at $44,379. Alabama was the chepest at $8,128. and that was in 2001 I hope they have good jobs. do the math.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_average_cost_per_prisoner#ixzz22n9kbyNA
We would have paid that whether or not they moved to Maine from FL. Since they did move they, not their son, are a net gain to Maine.
HA! No…they have a “dependent adult child” that is in need of services that will be the burden of the Maine taxpayer. Glad to see they’re moving back to help contribute to the cause…
It’s a Hallmark moment
Love this!—hahaha
Does one have to know the people to make it readable? You all read this story but now are complaining because it wasnt Juicy enough for a gossip story but you read it anyways? Must be newsworthy if we are all reading it.
Ha Ha, No. Just saying that this is really not a newsworthy story, deserving of a headline in the BDN, or any other paper for that matter, certainly not worthy of the AP Wire. Not looking for “Juicy” as you say, just things that are truly newsworthy…..
Must be a slow day on the wire, and a slow day for the BDN……
Thanks for comment :-) …at least YOU didnt insult me.
And I moved to Maine to get away from my parents.
LOL……did it work?
I left Maine to get away from my parents!!
Again, why is this news? Seriously?
It’s only news to people who care at all about their fellow human beings and what some of them have to go through at times. These posts read like tweets so I can only assume it’s the crummy younger generation that lives life as if no one else matters.
who cares?
That is what you call a very loving parents. if they are willing to uproot themselves to move back to Maine just so they can visit thier son in prison. I give them lots of kudos!!
Retarded? I have a Retarded son….are you sure you really want to be that ignorent? Its a story! No need to insult me because I replied to comments…
Hey, My child is adopted, mostly black, partially american indian, Irish, German, partly Cuban, and came from Mexico. He is of the Muslim faith, although his parents were Catholics. He is disabled due to learning disablities, and he is legally in this country, and entitled to benfits! What is your point??? Be careful now…. you don’t want to offend me or anyone else that might be in my situation…. I have, and my son has his rights in this country!!!! I am very tuned into the political correctness of this country, we take advantage of what the US has to offer us, …..
How in the world am I offending YOU!? I do have a Retarded Son!! Does that bother you or something? That post told me that my comment was RETARDED! I have a right to comment on that and also inform them that it is ignorent to use that term! Now I have no idea who YOU are or claim to know about your family but I do have the right to defend my son against those who uses that term as an insult! have a great day!
Its ignorant to use that term yet your post included that very word to label your own son…take your own advice and erase the word from your vocabulary if you expect others to do the same….please.
30 years ago..Mentally RETARDED was the term everyone used. If you want me to be politically correct for your benefit your going to have a v ery long wait. I will refer to it as I want. It is what it is.
Whether you like it or not. Dont attempt to walk in my shoes nor will I attempt to walk in yours.
30 years ago gas was under 50 cents, movie tickets were $1.50 Watergate was already a decade old, Carl Yastrzemski still wore cleats and my son’s bike had training wheels. Time moves on…I suggest you do too. I believe the term you used (repeatedly) is no longer in vogue (whether you have a disabled child or not…which frankly I don’t believe) I imagine , if you actually have a child with this affliction you would be the first to cry injustice and unfairness if someone called him that but you maintain your right to “refer to it as I want”(sic). You’d be screaming from the rooftops…of that I am sure.
how would you know my life stranger? get over yourself. I stick by what I said earlier and always will. That is and was howe it hasbeen referred to my childs whole life. He is not loved any less because of it and thankfully still alive after 32 years. So instead of assuming you know about a total strangers life, perhaps you should look at your own.
I don’t believe he knew you have a retarded son, so if he used the word retarded it wasn’t to offend you.
Scrounging for a story are we BDN? This isn’t news and they probably wanted to keep their arrival to our state private and for good reason. Why should these people be ridiculed because of their son? Now everyone knows the reason for their move to Maine.
Ummm Why is this even news???
IN case any one wants to know I will be weeding my gardern in my backyard tomorrow morning.
I just blew my nose.
Making a sweater from belly button lint.
I can contribute lint to your cause.
Dont’ ask where it came from. You’re better off not knowing.
I got a new cat.
This kind of news is for Facebook…dontcha know?
how do you spin the yarn?
mix any hair into it for strength?
This kind of news is for Facebook…dontcha know?
This kind of news is for Facebook…dontcha know?
Be sure to photograph if you find any Japanese beetles, or slugs.
Did you live in Newburg?
This kind of news is for Facebook…dontcha know?
This is a really sad story, I feel so bad for the parents who are dedicated enough to still stick by their son after he made such an awful decision. This just goes to show that there are consequences beyond yourself for your actions, think about who you effect.
Basically, this story is saying it dosen’t take much for some people to commit murder!
This is more sad than anything. They have probably made many sacrifices for their son over the years. And they will continue to do it till the day they die. That is not unusual in the sense that parents usually do make sacrifices for their children. What is less common is that the child does not appear worthy of their support.
Sooo…..who cares?
Not you obviously.
Awww,how sweet!
Actually,this article has spawned some of the FUNNIEST comments that Ive ever seen on this site.Well done readers of BDN online,quick wit!!!Love it.And Lepage says that Mainers are disadvantaged,hah!
What a sick sense of humor. I feel sorry for you.
Thank you darlin’!
This has got to be voted dumbest news story of the year.
I hope they can support themselves.
They put a bid in on a home according to the article or can’t you read?
moral of the story, don’t mess with someone elses girlfriend.. I wonder if she has an new boyfriend yet.
Im sure. Time is not oft wasted when it comes to women and dating. They are real go-getters.
This “story” was definitely done in bad taste. Since the family of the victim will never be able to see their loved one again making a story about the family of this murderer being able to see him more often has absolutely no point…. Great journalism BDN….
Stories that could have been written which are equally (or more) interesting:
“Man has hemorrhoid operation”
“Woman knits wool socks”
“Man cooks chicken on a propane grill”
“Person drives car to Hannaford”
“BDN actually hires a real journalist!”
I found the story interesting and certainly more worthy of reading than your useless remark.
the Kennebec Journal did a more detailed article.
True, and in the comment section, the murder’s mother is posting her comments and going after those who make bad comments, it funny, and sad!, she is a little out there if you ask me, but you should read the comments in the K/J
Who cares?
What the heck???? Was this a high profile family or murder? Or maybe bangor news was looking to generate chatter on the page here how the parents are foolish and should let him rot in hell. If so ok…. here ya go
No man is an island. Or is that over your empty head?
Take your place Susan go make cookies or do your husbands laundry
You are all too funny with your comments on this lame article. The funniest part of it all, nobody even picked up on, so I have to add my first thought when I read the article. The parents moved to Maine so they could live closer and visit their son in prison. With them living closer to him they won’t have to correspond via the mail. Just imagine, the return address would be Freedom, ME.
JustSayin56: I think it is news as some people are aware of the case or know the family. Fortunately, you are not the only reader. It is also a testament to how much parents love their children no matter what they have done. It is a thought-provoking story when we compare what we might have done to the decision they have made.
“It is also a testament to how much parents love their children no matter what they have done.”
So you’d be okay if the Allen family had an article written (with a nice family photo) about how much they miss their son and forgive him for being a child molester, correct?
Wow! When I moved my office to be closer to home, I didn’t even get so much as a sleepy nod in the ” Noteworthy” section of the Lewiston SJ. I feel violated.
What on earth made the BDN think the general public wanted to know this? I’m sure there are other dedicated parents who have moved back to the area in order to visit their children in prison more often, as well. This is one of the most ho-hum articles I’ve ever read anywhere.
This is news???