BANGOR, Maine — The younger brother of the man accused of using Facebook to lure 15-year-old Nichole Cable to her death told jurors Thursday morning that Kyle Dube never confessed to him that he strangled the girl as investigators have maintained.
Dustin Dube, 19, of Orono denied telling detectives that he heard “straight from Kyle” that his brother killed the Glenburn girl. The younger Dube told the jury of eight men and seven women, including alternates, that he heard his brother was responsible for Cable’s death from Sarah Mersinger, Kyle Dube’s then girlfriend.
Mersinger, 18, of Glenburn testified Monday that Dube confessed to her after he was interviewed by police on May 16, 2013. She later told police what she had learned, which led to the discovery of Cable’s body in the woods near Gilman Falls in Old Town.
Dube, 21, of Orono is accused of using Facebook to lure Cable out of her mother’s home in Glenburn nearly two years ago by using the identity of Bryan Butterfield, a boy Mersinger had dated, then killing Cable in an abduction gone wrong.
He has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murder in the May 12, 2013, death of the Old Town High School student. He allegedly planned to kidnap the girl, hide her, then find her and play the hero.
In two recorded interviews with Maine State Police detectives played for the jury last week and Wednesday, Dube repeatedly denied having anything to do with Cable’s disappearance.
Sean Kasprzak, Dustin Dube’s co-worker in May 2013, testified Thursday that Dube told him that his brother, Kyle Dube, had confessed to him. Dustin Dube testified that he did not remember that conversation.
Maine State Police Detective Jay Pelletier testified previously that Dube told him that he heard “straight from Kyle” the details of how he killed Cable and where he hid her body.
The trial is to resume Thursday afternoon with testimony from Scott Ford, an inmate housed with Kyle Dube at the Maine State Prison in Warren. Ford is expected to testify about a handwritten document that could be Dube’s confession. Its contents have not been made public, but it has been admitted as evidence.
Dube’s trial began Feb. 23. It is expected to go to the jury on Friday.
If Dube is convicted of murder, he faces between 25 years and life in prison. He is being held without bail.
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.