OAKLAND, Maine (WABI) – A Kennebec County judge heard arguments Thursday in the case of a woman accused of killing an infant.
The trial of Oakland daycare owner Lisa Barney has been delayed after court documents showed Barney sent a Facebook friend request to a juror.
Thursday, the court heard arguments about a case from 2007 regarding a prior incident allegedly connected to Barney’s daycare.
The question for the court is whether to allow a person involved in that case to testify during this trial because Barney’s defense attorney represented their ex-partner in a divorce case.
The state says this could be an ethical violation given Barney’s defense attorney could have information prior to Barney’s arrest.
They believe the matter is prejudicial and expressed concern Barney could raise this as a post-conviction review issue and possibly attack the defense attorney’s representation.
The defense says the 2007 case was resolved and didn’t involve Barney.
A judge didn’t make a decision on the matter Thursday.
Barney is charged with manslaughter for the death of a four-month old in September of 2023.
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