Harrison Thorp 10:50 a.m.
Saturday, July 27, 2019 10:47 am
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WEST LEBANON, Maine - This is probably the first weekend a West Lebanon man has enjoyed since January.
Keegan Whelan, 22, who was accused of strangling his girlfriend in a Springvale parking lot on Jan. 5, was found not guilty on Wednesday following a jury trial at York County Superior Court in Alfred.
The verdict was a huge triumph, his mom, Stacy Whelan, told The Rochester Voice on Friday, adding it was well worth the $8,000 the family spent on his defense team.
Whelan was arrested in the parking lot of Nasson Community Center around 11:30 a.m. on Jan 5. Police said he strangled the alleged victim. Whelan was charged with aggravated assault, a Class B felony that carries up to a 10-year prison sentence.
Stacy Whelan said prior to trial the prosecution offered him a plea deal - 365 days in jail, all suspended except for five days - but he refused.
She said her son made the decision not to accept the deal on his own.
"He said he wouldn't admit to something he didn't do," she recalled on Friday.
He also would've had to take probation for two years, never own a firearm and take a 48-week batterer's course he would've had to pay for, Stacy Whelan said.
During trial prosecution witnesses included police and paramedics who treated the victim at the scene as well as a strangulation expert, she said.
The only witness for the defense was Keegan, who testified on his own behalf.
Stacy Whelan credited the Webb Law Firm of Saco and Portland including attorneys John Webb, Vincent LoConte and Katherine Campbell with providing her son with solid representation.
As for the Jan 5 incident, Stacy Whelan had little to say but noted it began when his ex-girlfriend demanded to see his phone and he refused.