State of Maine v. Jessee Mackin

Summary

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Jessee Mackin’s manslaughter conviction arising from the death of a seven-month-old child. The court held that the trial court was justified in finding beyond a reasonable doubt that Mackin, acting with criminal negligence, caused the child’s fatal injuries.

Holdings

1. The evidence was sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mackin caused the child's death because the child sustained an inflicted injury resulting in immediate loss of consciousness and Mackin was the only person who could have inflicted it.
2. The trial court's finding that Mackin caused the child's death with criminal negligence was supported by the evidence.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence was sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mackin caused the child's death.
2. Whether the evidence supported the finding that Mackin acted with criminal negligence for purposes of manslaughter.

Disposition

affirmed