08/13/2008
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Staff photo by Scott Monroefrom the Kennebec Journal
QUESTIONS REMAIN
No complaints from those who switched to Somerset County center
Vote on 1 may hurt some in election
Steeple at center of debate in Whitefield
VETERANS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE: Homelessness takes center stage
J.P. DEVINE: Overcome sadness with hope
BASKETBALL: NBA Hall of Famer Barry doles out advice at Thomas College
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY: Maranacook sophomore Mace dominates Class B field
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
A year later, families await answers on fatalities
Owner of topless coffee shop on the comeback trail
Officials report cheaper, better service after switch
Two people in critical condition
Young Marines stick to program
Issue of homeless veterans at center stage
GIRLS SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Winslow falls to York in Class B
Bard hits her marathon stride
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
ROCKLAND -- On Saturday, brothers Enoch and Michael Petrucelly of Palmyra take a ferry from the mainland over to the island of North Haven. That night, they're sleeping downstairs at a friend's house, in the same room, in separate beds.
Enoch Petrucelly wakes up Sunday morning before the sun rises. He grabs a wooden cane and unsheathes it, revealing a sharp sword blade. He walks over to his sleeping brother, plunges the blade forward, pulls back and strikes again. He stabs his brother three times, aiming for the heart.
Michael Petrucelly groans before dying.
That's what Maine State Police allege happened over the weekend, according to an affidavit released Tuesday. Details of the murder allegation came the same day Enoch Petrucelly was taken from jail to an initial appearance in Knox County Superior Court in Rockland. About a dozen people -- family and friends of the Petrucellys -- attended the hearing and all declined to comment. Petrucelly was informed he faces a charge of murder. He was ordered held without bail.
During an interview with Maine State Police Detective Adam Kelley, Enoch Petrucelly allegedly said he planned to meet 43-year-old Eva Lilley, a nurse from Bangor, with whom he claimed to have had a romantic relationship for several years.
Before the ferry ride from Rockland to North Haven, Petrucelly warned his brother Michael "not to touch (Lilley) 'in that way' or else he would kill him," the affidavit states. Lilley told police that Michael Petrucelly called her during the ferry ride and said his brother "was going to kill him."
"Eva Lilley believed that Enoch Petrucelly thought that she and Michael Petrucelly were romantically involved," the affidavit says. "Eva (Lilley) stated that Enoch Petrucelly was in love with her."
'He killed me once before'
According to the affidavit, here's what police believe happened:
Enoch Petrucelly and his brother had planned to attend LungFest, an annual music concert held at Mullens Head Park on North Haven, on Saturday. The brothers stayed overnight at 353 Crabtree Point Road on North Haven, the home of Lilley's 20-year-old daughter, Tiffany Wiles, and 21-year-old Geoffrey Barrett.
In an interview with police, Wiles said she was sleeping upstairs Sunday morning when she awoke due to a crashing sound. She ran downstairs and saw Enoch Petrucelly holding "a gentleman's style cane sword."
Around 5:40 a.m., Barrett called 911 to report that Michael Petrucelly had fallen off the couch and landed on a coffee table. Barrett didn't think Michael was breathing; he saw blood and assumed Michael had "fallen on something when he hit the table."
During the phone call, police said, a female is heard asking someone else about a sword and then Barrett "started getting upset and asked why he was holding a sword." Just before the 911 call ends, Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Potter arrives and a female is heard saying, "You tell him you killed your brother."
As Potter arrived he saw Lilley push Enoch Petrucelly through an open glass door while "stating something to the effect of, 'Get him out of here. He killed his (expletive) brother. Get him out of here.'" Asked by Deputy Potter whether he and his brother had had an argument, Enoch Petrucelly replied, "No, I killed him because he was going to kill me," and added, "he killed me once before."
Petrucelly in court
Enoch Petrucelly this week was appointed a defense attorney, Howard F. O'Brien, but he requested that O'Brien be dumped so he can find new representation.
"I do wish to have a lawyer of my own choosing," Petrucelly said, adding that he has two lawyers in mind but he needs financial assistance and further research to find them.
"I feel my rights have been violated," he added, before Judge William Anderson cut him off and told him to only ask questions, not make statements.
Petrucelly also said O'Brien had sent him "paperwork" he did not request. O'Brien said after the hearing that he had only given Petrucelly his business card. Petrucelly complained that he doesn't have access to "the proper paperwork," which he needs "right away."
"I don't know what paperwork it is you're referring to," Anderson responded.
A grand jury needs to indict Petrucelly on a charge of murder before he can be formally arraigned in court and enter a plea. Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea, who is prosecuting the case, said the state will request a psychological evaluation of Petrucelly to determine whether he's mentally competent to stand trial.
O'Brien spoke briefly with Petrucelly's mother and stepfather before the hearing; they said Petrucelly has no criminal record except a single citation for underage drinking.
Scott Monroe -- 861-9253, 487-3288
smonroe@centralmaine.com
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