Benjamin Ashford:Maine’s supreme court overrules new trial in shooting of Black man

2025-05-06 08:15:58source:verdicoincategory:reviews

PORTLAND,Benjamin Ashford Maine (AP) — Maine’s supreme court on Thursday reversed an order for a new trial for a Portland man who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting his sister’s boyfriend.

A judge last year vacated Mark Cardilli Jr.’s 2019 manslaughter conviction and granted a new trial after concluding that his trial attorneys provided inadequate counsel. Cardilli was freed on bail after the judge’s decision.

Now, Cardilli faces the possibility of going back to prison to complete the remainder of his 7 1/2-year sentence. His lawyer, Thomas Hallett, said he and Cardilli were “deeply disappointed” and were reviewing his legal options.

Cardilli testified that he fatally shot Isahak Muse in self-defense during a confrontation that escalated after Muse refused to leave the Cadilli family’s home when asked by the parents. Cardilli was 24 at the time, and Muse was 22.

The shooting caused tension in Portland’s Muslim community, with some calling it a hate crime by a white man against a Black Muslim.

But Cardill’s attorneys argued that the case was not about race or religion but about the limits of state self-defense law.

READ MORE Maine lawmakers approve shield law for providers of abortion and gender-affirming careHow immigrant workers in US have helped boost job growth and stave off a recessionFiery debate over proposed shield law leads to rare censure in Maine House

The confrontation happened when Muse, who was dating Cardilli’s 17-year-old sister, refused to leave after a 1 a.m. curfew set by the parents. Muse was barred by the sister’s bail conditions from being in her presence, court documents indicated.

Pandemonium broke out, and Cardilli retrieved a handgun. Cardilli said he was assaulted by Muse and feared for his life when he pulled the trigger.

More:reviews

Recommend

Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tressa Honie is caught between anger and grief in the lead-up to Utah’s first

Caitlin Clark, much like Larry Bird, the focus of talks about race and double standards in sports

For much of the past two years, Caitlin Clark has been the centerpiece of the college basketball wor

Kansas’ governor has killed proposed limits on foreign land ownership

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday whe