Deliberating slightly more than hour on Dec. 19, a Kennebec County jury determined John A. Okie, 22, of Newcastle to be criminally responsible for the murders of his father and a former classmate in July 2007.
Beginning their deliberation at 1 p.m., the jury foreman read the verdict at 2:30 p.m., following the judicial marshal announcement at 2:15 p.m., “we have a verdict.”
Defense lawyer Peter DeTroy had contended throughout, that though Okie had committed the murders, he was in an actively psychotic state at the time and should not be held responsible by reason of insanity.
Before allowing the jury to enter the courtroom, Judge Joseph Jabar cautioned those in attendance that emotional outbursts upon hearing the ruling would not be tolerated. “This has been a very difficult and very emotional case.”
As the jury foreman delivered the ruling, the courtroom was quiet except for the weeping of some members of the jury and from the Mills family.
Seated at the defense table, Okie showed no emotion upon hearing the verdict. After a brief discussion by his attorney, Okie did exchange a look with his mother, Karen Okie, upon being escorted from the courtroom heading back to the Kennebec County Jail.
Deeply relieved, Mills’ father, Timothy Mills, along with supporters and family, thanked State Assistant Attorneys Lisa Marchese and Andrew Benson. Mills’ mother, Donna Mills had been in the courtroom for the trial, but was not in attendance at the reading of the verdict.
Sentencing is scheduled for Thurs., Jan. 29, with DeTroy requesting to be allowed to submit a sentencing memorandum for consideration.
Okie faces a minimum of 25 years in prison on each count.
On the courthouse steps, Marchese could not definitely answer if the state would be requesting a life sentence for Okie.