PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A federal judge has ruled that a blood test that showed a lobster boat captain ingested marijuana and oxycodone will be inadmissible as evidence at his manslaughter trial.
The judge said this week that law enforcement officials mistakenly told Christopher Hutchinson that the blood test was compulsory, so he could've refused. However, the judge ruled that the test could be used to impeach testimony under some circumstances.
Hutchinson, of Cushing, was owner and captain of the lobster boat No Limits. It capsized in 2014 west of Matinicus, claiming the lives of crew members Tomas Hammond and Tyler Sawyer.
Prosecutors say Hutchinson had been drinking and using marijuana and oxycodone before taking the lobster boat and two crew members out. Hutchinson, who's free on bond, has pleaded not guilty.
