BANGOR, Maine — The jury-waived murder trial of Roxanne Jeskey was recessed Friday until after the first of the year, in part, to give the defendant time to decide if she will take the stand, according to defense attorney Joseph Baldacci of Bangor.
Jeskey, 50, of Bangor is charged with intentional or knowing murder and depraved indifference murder in the death of her husband, Richard Jeskey, 53, in their Ohio Street apartment. His naked and bloody body was found June 13, 2011. A broken flip phone was found on his chest. He was beaten and strangled, according to the autopsy.
She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Roxanne Jeskey’s trial began Monday before Superior Court Justice E. Allen Hunter at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor.
The trial originally was scheduled to take Christmas week off, resume Jan. 30 and conclude Jan. 31. The state rested Thursday.
After meeting with defense attorneys and prosecutors Friday morning, Hunter changed the trial schedule, Baldacci said.
April O’Grady, a Bangor psychologist expected to be called as a rebuttal witness by the prosecution, is out of the country until Jan. 6, according to Baldacci.
“We will use that time to consult with Roxanne about whether she will take the stand in her own defense,” he said. “Due to her cognitive deficiencies and memory problems, we need some time to help her understand her options so she can make an informed decision.”
Experts for the defense and prosecution have said that Jeskey’s ability to process and retain information was affected 10 years ago when she had a brain tumor removed.
The judge will convene the trial on Jan. 2 to determine if Jeskey will testify in her own defense or not, the defense attorney said. The trial will resume Monday, Jan. 6, when the defense will present its case.
Jeskey faces between 25 years and life in prison if convicted of murder. If found not guilty by reason of insanity, she would be committed to Riverview Psychiatric Hospital in Augusta until the staff deemed her no longer a danger to the community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.