Erin Grade, one of two former USM students charged with last year’s Dec. 4 bomb threat, entered a plea of “not guilty” before Superior Court Judge Andrew M. Horton at her arraignment last Monday in Portland. The other former student, Geneva Benner, had previously entered a “not guilty” plea.
Grade’s attorney, Henry Shanoski, defended his client’s plea in a telephone interview. “She did not make the call,” he said. “I am confident that when all the evidence comes into light, she will be exonerated of all charges.”
Grade was arrested in July in her hometown of Rockland, and later released when her mother, Elaine Grade, pledged her home as surety to satisfy a $10,000 bail bond. Shanoski has asked his client not to speak with the press, and would not offer additional comments because, he said, USM police are actively investigating the rest of last school year’s threats.
Meg Elam, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, could not be reached for comment.
Grade and Benner were indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury in July in connection with a Dec. 4 bomb threat that evacuated the Portland and Gorham campuses and shut them down for the day. Both former students are charged with terrorizing, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in state prison.
Maine statute Title 17-A 210(1)(B) reads that a person is guilty of terrorizing “if that person in fact communicates to any person a threat to commit or to cause to be committed a crime of violence dangerous to human life.and the natural and probable consequence of such a threat.to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transport or to cause the occupants of a building to be moved to or required to remain in a designated secured area.”
A federal charge for bomb threats may apply as well. The federal statute, Title 18, Section 921, 18-844e, states that the crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. Kathy McLeod, assistant to the US Attorney in Portland, said she could not comment whether or not the case will be referred their office.
USM Police Chief Lisa Beecher and Detective Penny Belanger continue to investigate all of the bomb threat incidents that occurred between last Oct. 2 and Aug. 11.
A “spam” e-mail threat received two weeks ago at the School of Law building in Portland has been labelled a “non-threat” by Craig Hutchinson, vice president of student and university life. FBI media spokesperson Vickie Blank said she “could not confirm or deny” if the e-mail will be a part of the bureau’s federal investigation into similar incidents occuring between Sept. 7 and Sept. 11 of this year.
Horton accepted Grade’s plea and reiterated her bail conditions, including the condition that she had no contact with USM or enter university property. A tentative March 17, 2008, trial date has been set in Cumberland County.
“I’m confident that Erin’s name will be cleared,” said Shanoski.