Maine Supreme Judicial Court
2023 Memoranda of Decision

January 2023
February 2023
March 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
July 2023
August 2023
September 2023
October 2023
November 2023
December 2023



December 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-159 AND-23-259 12/28/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JONATHAN D.
Mem 23-158 CUM-23-267 12/28/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ROBERT B.
Mem 23-157 CUM-23-301 12/28/23 Divorce ELIZABETH G. LESNIAK v. EDWARD J. LESNIAK
Mem 23-156 PEN-23-251 12/28/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF KAYTE E.
Mem 23-155 ARO-23-175 12/28/23 Guardianship IN RE GUARDIANSHIP BY JONATHAN H. et al.
Mem 23-154 HAN-23-291 12/28/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF DAVIS B.
Mem 23-153 YOR-23-219 12/14/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JASON L.
Mem 23-152 CUM-23-33 12/14/23 Writ of mandamus PETITION OF LOREN SHUCK FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS
Mem 23-151 YOR-22-316 12/12/23 Dismissal CHRISTINE CATCHICK et al. v. WNEDY MOULTON et al.
Mem 23-150 SAG-23-102 12/12/23 Recovery of personal property LISA KEATHLEY v. SCOTT COOMBS et al.
Mem 23-149 FRA-23-212 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF THOAMS B.
Mem 23-148 LIN-23-188 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF MICHELLE B.
Mem 23-147 YOR-23-217 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF BROOKE B.
Mem 23-146 SOM-23-199 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF DIANA D.
Mem 23-145 ARO-23-128 12/7/23 Sexual abuse of minor STATE OF MAINE v. RAY A. GALPIN
Mem 23-144 CUM-23-206 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF KARIANN V.
Mem 23-143 PEN-23-184 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF LAURA M.
Mem 23-142 KEN-23-226 12/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF REINAH E.
Mem 23-141 FRA-23-234 12/7/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. RYAN RICHARDS


November 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-140 HAN-23-91 11/28/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF JILLIAN M.
Mem 23-139 YOR-23-201 11/14/23 Protection from harassment JESSICA MACDONALD v. ASHLEY VIERA
Mem 23-138 AND-23-164 11/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JAIME M.
Mem 23-137 HAN-23-71 11/2/23 Traffic violations STATE OF MAINE v. RALPH H. MATHIS III
Mem 23-136 CUM-23-205 11/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF LILLIAN J.
Mem 23-135 PEN-23-141 11/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JERIKA C.


October 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-134 ARO-2-178 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF YULONDA M.
Mem 23-133 KNO-23-132 10/26/23 Parental rights WILLIS C. SILVERWOOD v. ISABELLE B. TROADEC
Mem 23-132 SAG-23-190 10/26/23 Parental rights SOPHIE SAWYER v. MICAEL MCGLINCHEY
Mem 23-131 LIN-23-140 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ROBERT J.
Mem 23-130 PEN-23-86 10/26/23 Motion to dismiss GLENN PLOURDE v. PAT DOE
Mem 23-129 WAL-23-92 10/26/23 Motion to dismiss 248 NORTHPORT, LLC v. KINSALE INSURANCE COMPANY CORPORATION TRUST
Mem 23-128 AND-23-6 10/26/23 Divorce FARHIYA H. ALI v. SALAT MOHAMED et al.
Mem 23-127 CUM-23-116 10/26/23 Foreclosure PEOPLESCHOICE CREDIT UNION v. JOLEEN M. MITCHELL et a.
Mem 23-126 PEN-23-67 10/26/23 Domestic violence aggravated assault STATE OF MAINE v. JOSHUA C. MCAULIFFE
Mem 23-125 AND-23-156 10/26/23 Jeopardy IN RE CHILD OF MARIA R.
Mem 23-124 som-23-153 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF KYMBER C.
Mem 23-123 OXF-23-151 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JEREMY B.
Mem 23-122 YOR-23-137 10/26/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. SARAH M. CHAGNON
Mem 23-121 AND-23-185 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF CODY L.
Mem 23-120 SAG-23-189 10/26/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF ASHLEY S.
Mem 23-119 PEN-23-167 10/26/23 Due process COURTNEY M. ARTHERS v. NICHOLAS P. ARTERS
Mem 23-118 OXF-23-152 10/19/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF WAYNE I.
Mem 23-117 CUM-23-62 10/10/23 Service M.I. v. PORTLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mem 23-116 PEN-23-93 10/17/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF LAURINE K.
Mem 23-115 ARO-23-79 10/17/23 Foreclosure CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC v. ROY L. BRISLEY et al.
Mem 23-114 CUM-23-109 10/12/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF GUNNAR B.
Mem 23-113 SAG-23-31 10/10/23 Review of agency action BORIS F. GRIB v. TOWN OF RICHMOND et al.
Mem 23-112 YOR-23-45 10/10/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF CRYSTAL K.
Mem 23-111 KEN-23-129 10/10/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF JEREMY T.
Mem 23-110 YOR-23-23 10/10/23 Summary judgment MICHAEL DONATELLI et al. v. TOWN OF OLD ORCHARD BEACH et al.
Mem 23-109 WAL-23-149 10/5/23 Protection from abuse LARRIEAN B. PICKFORD v. JEREMY C. PICKFORD
Mem 23-108 CUM-23-111 10/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF FELICIA K.
Mem 23-107 KEN-23-18 10/5/23 Time extention U.S. BANK AND TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION v. CYNTHIA M. BARNA at al.
Mem 23-106 PEN-23-95 10/5/23 Divorce JASON R. PELLETIER v. AMANDA L. RIPTON
Mem 23-105 FRA-22-380 10/5/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. ZACHRY P. MOORE
Mem 23-104 CUM-23-94 10/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JAMES K.
Mem 23-103 FRA-23-112 10/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF DAWN F.
Mem 23-102 CUM-23-110 10/5/23 Terminal of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF BRANDEN C.
Mem 23-101 KNO-23-8 10/5/23 80C STEVE ANCTIL v. DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Mem 23-100 PEN-23-126 10/3/23 Parental rights KARL BECHTEL v. JODY GREEN


August 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-98 YOR-23-19 8/24/23 Guardian and conservatorship ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF J.
Mem 23-97 BCD-23-48 8/8/23 Arbitration award GREGORY L. HELBIG v. DONALD J. COTE


September 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-99 SOM-22-402 9/21/23 Manslaughter/Criminal OUI STATE OF MAINE v. JOSHUA R. SAVAGE


August 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-98 YOR-23-19 8/24/23 Guardian and conservatorship ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF J.
Mem 23-97 BCD-23-48 8/8/23 Arbitration award GREGORY L. HELBIG v. DONALD J. COTE


July 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-96 PEN-22-424 7/27/23 Rule 91 application M.J. v. MAINE STATE POLICE TROOP E
Mem 23-95 YOR-22-422 7/25/23 Divorce MELANIE K. MARKS v. CHRISTOPHER L. MARKS
Mem 23-94 CUM-22-377 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ADAM S.
Mem 23-93 HAN-23-64 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ASHLEY M.
Mem 23-92 KEN-23-37 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ERIC W.
Mem 23-91 CUM-23-69 7/25/23 Parental rights LENA M. MINERVINO v. JOSHUA S. RANDALL
Mem 23-90 AND-23-103 7/25/23 Contempt of divorce judgment MARCEL A. POULIN v. PAULA R. WHITE
Mem 23-89 SOM-23-46 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF REBECCA W.
Mem 23-88 PEN-23-70 7/25/23 Termination of parnetal rights IN RE CHILDREN OF SARAH B.
Mem 23-87 PEN-23-76 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF SARAH M.
Mem 23-86 CUM-23-84 7/25/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF TYLER M.
Mem 23-85 sag-22-378 7/11/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. HUNTER A. GARRETT
Mem 23-84 HAN-23-35 7/6/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF TINA K.


June 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-83 PEN-23-11 6/29/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF FORREST C.
Mem 23-82 AND-23-27 6/29/23 Parental rights MICHAEL R. KNOWLTON v. VICTORIA M. RIVERS
Mem 23-81 PEN-23-58 6/29/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF FAWN R.
Mem 23-80 KEN-23-16 6/29/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF SEAN K.
Mem 23-79 AND-23-38 6/29/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF MISTY T.
Mem 23-78 FRA-23-14 6/29/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF DANIELLE L.
Mem 23-77 KEN-23-15 6/29/23 Divorce WALTER R. BACHELDER v. MIRANDA A. MERCHANT
Mem 23-76 CUM-22-324 6/20/23 Reinstatement to the bar SETH T. CAREY v. BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE BAR
Mem 23-75 AND-22-261 6/6/23 Unlawful sexual contact STATE OF MAINE v. AVERY S. MILLER
Mem 23-74 KEN-22-342 6/6/23 Final judgment rule MAINE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION et al. v. BLUE WAGON, LLC et al.
Mem 23-73 ARO-23-10 6/1/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF KRISTY W.
Mem 23-72 PEN-22-407 6/1/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF WILLIAM S.


May 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-71 AND-22-409 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JOSEPH G.
Mem 23-70 YOR-22-329 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF KINLEY M.
Mem 23-69 CUM-23-32 5/30/23 Habeas corpus KINLEY MACDONALD v. STATE OF MAINE
Mem 23-68 CUM-22-376 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF CHARLES C.
Mem 23-67 ARO-22-406 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ROBERT G.
Mem 23-66 WAS-22-417 5/30/23 OUI STATE OF MAINE v. JAMES A. KNOX
Mem 23-65 PEN-22-385 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF MICHELLE O.
Mem 23-64 KEN-22-388 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF NATHAN B.
Mem 23-63 ARO-22-421 5/30/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF BRIAN H.
Mem 23-62 SAG-22-394 5/23/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. SARAH CHERICO
Mem 23-61 YOR-22-63 5/23/23 80B 477 SHORE ROAD LLC v. TOWN OF OGUNQUIT et al.
Mem 23-60 ARO-22-363 5/18/23 Weapons restriction IN RE WEAPONS RESTRICTIONS OF M.
Mem 23-59 YOR-22-355 5/4/23 Involuntary commitment IN RE INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT OF L.
Mem 23-58 YOR-22-290 5/2/23 Standing NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE, LLC v. PAMELA C. JONES et al.
Mem 23-57 KEN-22-255 5/2/23 Divorce PAULA JOY v. DANIEL J. BENSON
Mem 23-56 WAS-22-307 5/2/23 Elements of the offense STATE OF MAINE v. ANDREA S. STEVENS


April 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-55 LIN-22-354 4/27/23 Divorce EMMA R. SOLORZANO v. CODY A. CRAIG
Mem 23-54 KEN-22-365 4/27/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF ALLISON A.
Mem 23-53 KEN-22-359 4/27/23 Divorce BRANDI (THOMPSON) SKELTON v. PHILLIP THOMPSON
Mem 23-52 YOR-22-301 4/27/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. THOMAS R. BOYD
Mem 23-51 LIN-2-349 4/27/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF RYAN F.
Mem 23-50 PEN-22-373 4/27/23 Termination of parenatal rights IN RE CHILD OF NICHOLAS E.
Mem 23-49 YOR-22-296 4/27/23 Civil perjury and conspiracy to defraud SARAH CHAGNON v. AMANDA GUNTER at al.
Mem 23-48 AND-22-353 4/27/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHLD OF KIMBERLY S.
Mem 23-47 SOM-22-240 4/6/23 Sentence review STATE OF MAINE v. TIMOTHY L. HUTCHINSON


March 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-46 LIN-22-311 3/23/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF MELISSA N.
Mem 23-45 PEN-22-46 3/16/23 Foreclosure JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION v. KRISTINE L. NEIL
Mem 23-44 PEN-22-294 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF AUDRIA A.
Mem 23-43 AND-22-300 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ARTHUR C.
Mem 23-42 YOR-22-259 3/2/23 Relief of judgment PETER CHIEN et al. V. SCOTT E. JARRETT et al.
Mem 23-41 YOR-22-275 3/2/23 Guardian and conservatorship of H. ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF H.
Mem 23-40 CUM-22-40 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF JENNIFER W.
Mem 23-39 YOR-22-270 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF JOSEPH S.
Mem 23-38 HAN-22-304 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF MARIAH L.
Mem 23-37 YOR-22-265 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF MARY D.
Mem 23-36 YOR-22-168 3/2/23 Unjust enrichment JAMES MESSER v. BRETT MESSER
Mem 23-35 PEN-22-305 3/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF RACHAEL W.


February 2023


Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-34 KEN-22-281 2/16/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JOANNE T.
Mem 23-33 YOR-22-220 2/14/23 Modification of divorce judgment MICHELLE L. SEYMOUR v. JOSHUA J. SEYMOUR
Mem 23-32 CUM-22-132 2/9/23 Robbery STATE OF MAINE v. ZACHARY R. CONWAY
Mem 23-31 PEN-22-258 2/7/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF IRENE R.
Mem 23-30 AND-22-253 2/7/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. DAVID HOLINGER
Mem 23-29 YOR-22-252 2/7/23 Modification of parental rights and resposibilities SAMANTHA M. CHOUINARD v. CHRISTOPHER B. IOOSS
Mem 23-28 FRA-22-152 2/7/23 OUI STATE OF MAINE v. JEFFREY B. JOHNSON
Mem 23-27 SOM-22-231 2/7/23 Night hunting STATE OF MAINE v. BILLY D. GROTTON
Mem 23-26 CUM-22-238 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF SH'QUITIA M.
Mem 23-25 PEN-22-178 2/2/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. DOMINGOS NOBREGA
Mem 23-24 CUM-22-292 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JOHN G.
Mem 23-23 CUM-22-272 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF HEATHER L.
Mem 23-22 CUM-22-278 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF DOMINIC K.
Mem 23-21 AND-22-248 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF CANDACE S.
Mem 23-20 CUM-22-234 2/2/23 Termination of limited guardianship ADULT GUARDIANSHIP OF R.
Mem 23-19 SOM-22-268 2/2/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ACACIA W.


January 2023
Memorandum DocketDateSubjectCase Name
Mem 23-18 SOM-22-211 1/17/23 Protection from abuse PAT DOE v. ROGER BOWER, JR.
Mem 23-17 ARO-22-244 1/12/23 Motion for relief from judgment IN RE CHILDREN OF HEATHER B.
Mem 23-16 PEN-22-239 1/10/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF ANGEL L.
Mem 23-15 CUM-22-128 1/5/23 Motion for relief and to amend IN RE CHILDREN OF MICHAEL W.
Mem 23-14 CUM-22-134 1/5/23 Contract dispute R.A.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICES, INC.v. JOLEEN M. MITCHELL et al.
Mem 23-13 CUM-22-230 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF RYAN G..
Mem 23-12 PEN-22-226 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF REBECCA G.
Mem 23-11 AND-22-242 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF MICHAEL C.
Mem 23-10 KEN-22-254 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF MARCUS H.
Mem 23-9 SOM-22-199 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF LOIS R.
Mem 23-8 ARO-22-223 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF JONATHAN E.
Mem 23-7 KEN-22-151 1/5/23 Special motion to dismiss STATE OF MAINE v. AMY L. FAIRFIELD
Mem 23-6 SOM-22-192 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF DEAN L.
Mem 23-5 AND-22-190 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILD OF DAVID C.
Mem 23-4 KEN-22-194 1/5/23 Assault IN RE CHILD OF CHRISTIAN C.
Mem 23-3 PIS-22-153 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights STATE V. CHRISTOPHER A. CHILLY
Mem 23-2 PEN-22-237 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF CHELSEA M.
Mem 23-1 PIS-22-183 1/5/23 Termination of parental rights IN RE CHILDREN OF AMY V.



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