Jury finds city man guilty of riot in McDonald's melee, but not felony assault

Robert C. Gorham during a break in closing arguments at the court on Friday. (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - The jury in the trial of a Rochester man accused of assault and riot during a melee at the Dover McDonald's drive-thru last year returned a guilty verdict late Tuesday on the felony riot charge but deadlocked on the second degree assault charge that accused him of strangling a female victim in the case.

Robert C. Gorham, 33, of Salmon Falls Road, was also found guilty of misdemeanor attempted assault. All told the two guilty verdicts mean Gorham could face a maximum of eight years behind bars when he is sentenced later this summer.

Two others from Rochester charged in the attack, Champion J. Sprague, 25, of 18 Stillwater Circle; and Megan L. O'Neill, 27, of Spruce Street, pleaded guilty to all charges earlier this spring and were given suspended sentences.

According to both the defense and prosecution the violence erupted after one of the cars was thought to have cut off the other while both parties were waiting for their orders at the Central Avenue McDonald's just before midnight on March 10, 2018.

Strafford County Deputy Attorney Tim Sullivan was not available for comment today.

Gorham's defense counsel, Att. Kimberly Shoen of Somersworth, was also not available.