BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- The former detective who was in charge of the Joyce McLain murder case, testified he had his doubts about Philip Scott Fournier being the true killer of the teen.
Retired Maine State Police Detective Joseph Zamboni took the stand Thursday, on day nine of the Joyce McLain murder trial.
Zamboni took over the McLain murder case in 1986. He testified it took him months to sort through all of the files and evidence that was gathered. Zamboni said some reports were missing altogether.
Philip Scott Fournier stands accused of brutally beating 16-year-old Joyce McLain to death behind Schenck High School in East Millinocket back in the summer of 1980. McLain went for a jog down a trail behind Schenck High School in East Millinocket on the night of August 8, 1980. She never returned home.
Instead, police found McLain's body two days later. She was naked, her hands were tied, and she was beaten to death. Fournier wasn't charged with McLain's murder until March of 2016.
Zamboni said once the investigative materials were in order, he and others detectives performed a series of interviews with a number of individuals who had been considered suspects. That group included Fournier.
"He was a very difficult interview, but cooperative," Zamboni testified." He seemed distant and was having a hard time focusing I felt like I got nowhere with him -- I was trying to establish what story was accurate or credible and was not able to."
In fact, Zamboni testified he had a different theory on who was behind the teen's murder. Zamboni said he focused on other homicides and found there was one case that shared a unique similarity; one where the victim's clothes were found.
The man behind that case, according to Zamboni, was Joe Albert. Albert was charged, arrested and convicted of that other murder. Zamboni testified the K-9 officer found Albert's victim's clothes in a nearby rock wall.
Joyce McLain's clothes were found in a similar rock wall.
Zamboni said he never ruled Albert out as a suspect even after interviewing him in prison. Zamboni testified that when he retired in 2004, he turned all the information over to the other detectives as well as the Maine Attorney General's office.
Two other retired detectives, involved in the case following Zamboni's retirement, David Preble, and Brian Strout gave testimony Thursday.
Both reiterated how complicated the case was since a lot of the early interviews were missing from the file. Strout pointed out that between 2008 and 2009 they were able to put a lot more effort into the case and treated it as if it had happened the day before. They both testified to interviewing Fournier at least once and described him as very cooperative.
The defense is expected to rest Friday after calling its last witnesses, which could include Fournier. The defendant has until Friday morning to decide whether or not he wishes to testify. According to prosecutors, closing statements are set to begin on Monday.
If Fournier is convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.