Picture of Rochester native's tattoo barred from murder trial in Maine

Jason Cote arrives n court for Monday hearing. (Courtesy Central Maine Morning Sentinel/David Leaming)

SKOWHEGAN, Maine - The judge in the murder trial of a Maine man charged in the bludgeoning death of a Rochester native rejected defense motions on Monday to allow the jury to see a picture of an "RIP" tattoo on the victim's neck.

The defense argued during pretrial motions that the tattoo would have led Jason Cote to fear for his life if confronted by Ricky Cole, 47, of Detroit, formerly of Rochester.

Prosecutors say Cote was high on drugs and looking for more when he fatally struck Cole with a pipe inside his Detroit home in July 2013.

The judge ruled a picture of the tattoo couldn't be used, as it could suggest Cole had a proclivity to violence.

The judge also ruled on Monday that counseling services records from Kennebec Behavioral Health where Cole was treated may contain admissible evidence and can be perused by attorneys.

Ricky Cole

Cote's attorneys have argued that Cole made threats about almost killing police officers and killing two people in New Hampshire. It is thought that those comments may have been made while at Kennebec Behavioral Health.

However, a relative of Cole's who asked not to be identified told The Lebanon Voice last month that there was, in fact, just one manslaughter charge in connection with a drag-racing death in August 1991 in which a passenger in Cole's car died. They said Cole was sentenced to seven years in prison, serving five.

The defense's arguments to see the tattoo and use health records are seen as an effort to paint Cole as a violent man whom Cote would fear, invoking a self-defense theory.

The trial continues with jury selection on Wednesday.