Morning Sentinel
Crash survivor gives false name
By DARLA L. PICKETT
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Monday, May 28, 2007

SKOWHEGAN -- An 18-year-old Skowhegan teen awaiting trial on a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of a friend in February was arrested Thursday and accused of falsely using the name of the victim's brother during a vehicle stop in Bingham.

Marcel Redmond, who turns 19 next month, is charged with aggravated forgery, violation of conditions of release and failure to give a correct name and address to a law enforcement officer, according to Evert Fowle, district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec counties.

Redmond on Feb. 11 was behind the wheel of a 2000 Jeep Wrangler when it rolled over and struck a utility pole on Rome Road in Mercer. His passenger Jonathan P. McGrail, 16, of Skowhegan, died of his injuries several days later. Another teen-aged passenger and Redmond escaped injuries.

Fowle said that this past Sunday, Redmond was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police in Bingham. Redmond is alleged to have been consuming alcohol, a violation of his conditions of release.

Fowle said Redmond first told officers he was "Christopher McGraw" with a birth date of June 2, 1988.

"Then he signed the bail form 'Christopher McGrail,'" Fowle said. "On that same day, he called Christopher McGrail (Jonathan's brother) and informed him he had used his name in a possible alcohol-related charge because he did not want to get into trouble."

Redmond was arrested Thursday after the brother reported the incident to police on Wednesday.

"I find that shocking, frankly, that somebody would do that who already was in a significant amount of trouble," Fowle said. "We are focusing on all aspects of this matter, including where Mr. Redmond got the liquor that was found in his system."

Fowle said Redmond is scheduled to be in court on his birthday, June 6, on a motion to revoke his bail on the manslaughter charge. Bail for the new charge has been set at $10,000 cash, he said.

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com


Reader comments

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John of Camden, ME
May 29, 2007 5:35 PM
Still trash; the lame attempt at equivocation notwithstanding.report abuse
Mary Madison of Madison, ME
May 29, 2007 4:43 PM
I totally, 100% agree that alcohol is the cause of all of his troubles as well as many of our other youths in this State. I am not "playing off as kids will be kids" I am 100% in agreement that Marcel needs to be held accountable for his actions; I am not condoning what he did either time. He will face his consequences. I had this very conversation with him and where alcohol has lead him to this day.
Jack of Nowhere..you are wrong..Chris did what he was adviced to do..

My only issue is calling him a scumbag, menace to society etc. I am saying he is a YOUNG KID experiencing some very adult lessons in life right now. How often as adults we forget to remember how our lives have been filled with many trials and errors to get where we are today. report abuse
mercedes of norridgewock, ME
May 29, 2007 10:13 AM
I am sure that this young man does have some fine qualities in his personality but it is very clear that with as many times as he has been in trouble with alcohol he has serious problems. One would think that after you have been the cause of taking another life due to driving under the influence that you would not want to remotely put yourself in that position again. And then to lie and use someone elses name when you get got, I sure am glad that he is not my friend. But this young man does not see it that way. It is time for the legal system to do something about this and take the correct action to do something before something goes terribly wrong again and another life is lost.report abuse
Jack of nowhere, ME
May 29, 2007 6:27 AM
Considering it was Christopher who called the police on Marcel for using his name, I'd say Marcel didn't have permission to do so. And playing Marcel's crimes off as "kids will be kids" is totally irresponsible.

report abuse
Mary Madison of Madison, ME
May 29, 2007 6:15 AM
Well I DO know him personally and before you all start in on this KID maybe you'd realize he is not a scumbag, or a burden on society. He is 18 and I hope that each and every one of your children are perfect! How do you all know that CHRIS TOLD his friend to do this if anything was to happen?? If Rosa, Chris and Joey can forgive Marcel who are you all to pass judgment? I do NOT in any way condone drinking and driving or drinking Alcohol period for that matter. But I do know some of the things I did at that age we not above the law and I am sure if any of you put your lil minds to it, you'd remember some of the mistakes you made at that age. And Heather of Norridgewock, I wonder would you stand by your fiancé such as Katie has if this were him?? You sound young but I am sure you have done a few things that were against the law that maybe could have lead to such a tragedy?? report abuse
John of Camden, ME
May 28, 2007 2:43 PM
Trash.report abuse
Frederick Killam of Skowhegan, ME
May 28, 2007 10:57 AM
This is just another perp who will just get a slap on the wrist by some liberal judge. Mark my word he see's less then 10 if found guilty of all charges.report abuse
brain of skowhegan, ME
May 28, 2007 10:51 AM
how stupid is this person i hope the
judge throw the book at himreport abuse
Leon Richard of Farmington, ME
May 28, 2007 9:32 AM
Do't know him personally, but all appearances would indicate he is an ongoing burden to society. May he become wiser with age, or less lucky. Too bad really, we could use another good man.report abuse
Heather of Norridgewock, ME
May 28, 2007 8:29 AM
ok my fiancee WAS friends with marcell. buttt after reading this in the paper today I am really mad. It actually boils my blood to read something like this. He already killed Jonathan didnt that do enough damage to his family????? Using his brothers name to try and get out of something??? Hes done enough hurt to jonathans family!!! Seriously what is wrong with this guy???? I think he needs some serious counciling.........maybe even rehab. A live in rehab would probably be best so hes not out drinking on probation.report abuse

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