Ellsworth, Maine — The trial for Raymond Lester, a Portland man accused of running over and killing his girlfriend Nicole Mokeme in Acadia National Park, began on Wednesday. Lester’s defense attorney, Caitlin Smith, argued that Lester fled from the police because he was concerned about being mistreated by officers. Smith also emphasized that there were no witnesses who saw Mokeme being hit by a car or saw anything happen to her.
The prosecution’s evidence against Lester primarily focused on his behavior leading up to the incident. Smith mentioned that Lester had been driving aggressively and listening to loud music on the night before Mokeme’s death. However, the prosecution lacks direct evidence linking Lester to the killing of Mokeme, as they will admit to the jury.
Smith further emphasized that Lester’s decision to flee was driven by his worry about how the police treated people of color, and he wanted to avoid contact with them.
Assistant Attorney General Lynne Rabin, on the other hand, described Mokeme as the founder and creative director of the Rise and Shine youth retreat, which was specifically for Black Mainers. Rabin stated that Lester disrupted the peaceful retreat by driving aggressively, drinking vodka, and playing songs with violent lyrics. When confronted by other retreat attendees, Lester responded aggressively, pointing his finger at them as if firing a gun. Rabin characterized Lester as the “cloud in the retreat.”
After escaping, Lester traveled to several states and even crossed into Mexico, but his black BMW X3 sport utility vehicle was never found by the police. Investigators did find pieces of plastic near Mokeme’s body that matched a black BMW XS.
During the trial’s opening arguments, two witnesses from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy testified. Ryan Henry, a student at the academy, discovered Mokeme’s dismembered body on the walkway on June 19, 2022. Kevin Hefferan, a professor at the academy, initially speculated that Mokeme’s death was possibly the result of a violent attack by a wild animal.
The trial, which began in Ellsworth, is expected to continue until November 9.
Translation:
Arguments begin in Acadia hit-and-run murder trial
ELLSWORTH, Maine — The trial for Raymond Lester, who is accused of fatally running over his girlfriend Nicole Mokeme in Acadia National Park, commenced on Wednesday. Lester’s defense attorney, Caitlin Smith, argued that he fled from the police due to concerns regarding potential mistreatment by the officers. Smith emphasized to the jury that there were no witnesses who saw Mokeme being struck or witnessed any harm coming to her.
The prosecution’s evidence predominantly relied on Lester’s prior behavior. Smith mentioned that Lester exhibited aggressive driving and played loud music on the evening preceding Mokeme’s death. However, the prosecution lacks direct evidence linking Lester to Mokeme’s killing, as they themselves will admit to the jury.
Smith further highlighted that Lester’s decision to evade capture was rooted in his apprehensions regarding how people of color were treated by the police, thus prompting him to avoid any interaction with them.
Assistant Attorney General Lynne Rabin painted Nicole Mokeme as the founder and creative director of the Rise and Shine youth retreat, exclusively catering to Black individuals in Maine. According to Rabin, Lester disrupted the peaceful nature of the retreat by driving aggressively, consuming vodka directly from the bottle, and playing songs with violent lyrics. When confronted by fellow retreat attendees, Lester responded combatively, mimicking the act of firing a gun with his finger. Rabin described Lester as a disruptive presence that marred the overall atmosphere of the retreat.
After his escape, Lester embarked on a journey across several states, crossing into Mexico, yet police authorities were unable to locate his black BMW X3 sport utility vehicle. However, investigators did discover plastic fragments near Mokeme’s body that were consistent with a black BMW XS.
The trial’s opening arguments featured testimony from two witnesses belonging to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Ryan Henry, a student at the academy, stumbled upon Mokeme’s dismembered body on a walkway on June 19, 2022. Kevin Hefferan, a professor at the same academy, initially speculated that Mokeme’s death may have resulted from a violent wild animal attack.
The trial, which commenced in Ellsworth, is anticipated to last until November 9.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is Raymond Lester being charged with?
– Raymond Lester is being charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of his girlfriend, Nicole Mokeme.
2. Why did Raymond Lester flee from the police?
– Lester’s defense attorney argues that he fled due to concerns about potential mistreatment by the officers, particularly towards people of color.
3. Is there any evidence directly linking Raymond Lester to Nicole Mokeme’s death?
– The prosecution lacks direct evidence connecting Lester to Mokeme’s killing, as they themselves will acknowledge.
4. What disruptive behavior did Raymond Lester exhibit at the retreat?
– Lester engaged in aggressive driving, consumed vodka directly from the bottle, and played songs with violent lyrics, creating a disruptive atmosphere at the retreat.
5. Where did Raymond Lester travel to after escaping from the police?
– Lester traveled to several states, ultimately crossing into Mexico, but the police were unable to locate his black BMW X3 sport utility vehicle.
6. What evidence supports the involvement of a black BMW XS in the incident?
– Investigators discovered plastic fragments near Mokeme’s body that matched a black BMW XS.
7. What testimonies were presented during the trial’s opening arguments?
– Two witnesses from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy provided testimony. One student discovered Mokeme’s dismembered body, while a professor initially suspected a wild animal attack.
8. How long is the trial expected to last?
– The trial is expected to continue until November 9.
