DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — One of two men charged in connection with an attack on a Dover-Foxcroft man nearly a year ago and another last month was sentenced Friday in Piscataquis County Superior Court to six years in prison with all but nine months suspended, followed by three years of probation.
Wilbur Joe Corson Jr., 23, of Dover-Foxcroft pleaded no contest Thursday to one count of aggravated assault in connection with the April 2014 attack in which Reginald “Reggie” Melvin, 49, of Dover-Foxcroft was shot and beaten, according to District Attorney R. Christopher Almy.
No contest pleas result in convictions.
The Bangor Daily News named the victim last year when he agreed to be identified.
Conditions of Corson’s probation include no contact with the victim and some witnesses, abiding by a curfew, not using alcohol or drugs, undergoing counseling and paying $35,000 in restitution, Almy said.
He also pleaded no contest to one count each of terrorizing, assault and violation of a condition of release in connection with an assault on Melvin last month. He was sentenced 30 days in jail on each of those charges to be served concurrently to the more serious felony charge.
That incident took place during jury selection for the trial of Corson and his cousin, Kyle Corson, 22, of Dover-Foxcroft, on charges related to the 2014 attack on Melvin, according to a previously published report.
Both men were charged last year with attempted murder, aggravated assault, elevated aggravated assault and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon in connection with the first altercation.
In exchange for Wilbur Joe Corson’s plea to aggravated assault, the other charges were dropped.
A trial date for Kyle Corson has not been set, according to Almy. If he goes forward with a trial, it could be held in Bangor at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
“They attempted to pick a jury [last month], but too many jurors knew about the case or knew people involved,” Almy said last month. “So they did not have enough jurors.
If he had gone to trial and been convicted on the more serious charges, Wilbur Joe Corson would have faced up to 30 years in prison on the attempted murder charge alone.