| Homicide Det. Barry Shuman testifies |
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Court transcripts Det. Sgt. Herbert “Barry” Shuman was called next on behalf of the State of Maine and to testify to Paul Pollard’s credible character. He said he was employed as a Detective Sergeant with the Maine State Police and that he was in his 18th year. District Attorney Christopher Almy said he wanted "[T]o call your attention to a person by the name of Paul Pollard. Did there come a time when you went to see an individual by the name of Paul Pollard?” “Yes, sir, I did ... at a college in Massachusetts.” “And did there come a time during this time that he spoke with you about some matters that you had no prior knowledge?” “That is correct.” Almy asked the detective if he could expound upon that. Shuman turned toward the jury and said, Mr. Pollard was going to college in Massachusetts and told me that he was doing well, and he had a couple things he wanted to tell me that he just couldn’t kind of live with anymore. He wanted to clear the air and get everything behind him, so he could start his life again. And he indicated to me that he participated in two armed robberies—one in November of 1980 and one in March of 1981. Both armed robberies involved the victim, Mr. Charles Dolan.” J. Hilary Billings, Richard Sargent’s attorney, began his cross examination of Det. Shuman by asking Shuman why he had gone to see Pollard in Massachusetts. “I was involved in the investigation of the death of Micheal Cochran which occurred in 1981 in Dedham, Maine. Mr. Pollard was inside a camp the night it caught fire,” he responded. “Who is the defendant in that homicide case?” Billings asked. District Attorney Almy sprang from his seat objecting, “See the Court at sidebar?” Judge Eugene Beaulieu excused the jury and a bench conference was held. Billings told the judge that he would like the court to accept this testimony now by way of an offer of proof on the relevancy to Mr. Pollard ultimate credibility. The judge replied, "I point out to you, Mr. Billings, in the interest of time, Mr. Pollard has not been offered as a witness at this point, and it’s going to be extremely difficult for the Court to rule in that area until I hear his testimony. But I’ll allow you to proceed in your voir dire [with the jury not present]. Proceed.” Attorney Billings then said, “Mr. Shuman, this interview in Worchester, Massachusetts occurred in February of 1985 ... At that time, Richard Sargent stood indicted for the murder of Micheal Cochran, is that right?” “That’s true.” “When you went to talk with Mr. Pollard, he was aware, was he not, that Richard Sargent was indicted for murder?” “He told me that he received two newspaper clippings from his brother Tom Pollard and Robert Smith [Pollard's friend who helped him and Cormier rob Dolan in March of 1981] back in December, that there were people indicted for the Cochran homicide.” “So he knew, also, that you were there to talk to him about Richard Sargent?” “Yes, sir.” “This had not been the first time you had talked to Mr. Pollard about homicide, is that right?” “That's correct.” “In fact, he played a principle role in your initial investigation of that homicide, did he not?” “Back in ’81, yes, sir.” Billings brought up significant events that had occurred after the three men were indicted for Mike’s murder, including the numerous holes and inconsistencies in Sharon Sargent’s testimony. “Ultimately, that case was dismissed?” It was obvious that the attorney had hit a nerve. Shuman came forward in his seat as he sharply said, “You’re before yourself though!” He then said that when he went to see Pollard the case was still going and it was still active. “You believed it was solid and not falling apart?” “I believed that we had problems.” “Knew that you had problems, didn’t you?” Of course we had problems. I knew that!” “And isn’t it true you were hoping Mr. Pollard would be able to bolster your case against Richard Sargent in the homicide?” “I was hoping that Mr. Pollard would have remembered things, and I wanted to re-interview him and hopefully help the homicide investigation, yes.” Mr. Billings presented a statement Shuman had taken from Pollard on March 3, 1981 and asked if the statement mentioned Richard Sargent. “I don’t believe there was any mention at all of Richard Sargent. No, there wasn’t.” “In the statement he gives you in Massachusetts ... [Feb. 12, 1985] it says Richard Sargent is present there a few days?” “Dick was at the camp there a few times." “This is a significant change in his statement, isn’t that true? Now he says he’s there about a week or so, and now is the first time he mentioned Dick Sargent is at the camp a couple of times?” “Yes, sir.” “Now you were aware that Mr. Pollard was the last person seen leaving the scene of the camp while it was still aflame?” “... I don’t think he was identified.” “And he was leaving just as the fire trucks were getting there ... he indicated he ran and hid... Mr. Herrin had offered you the statement that he observed this person fleeing to be in the act, he thought, of wiping his hands.” “I don’t recall.” “Was there any mention in your interview with Mr. Pollard in Massachusetts of his being a suspect for Micheal Cochran’s murder?” “Was there any mention in my interview? I don’t believe I ever indicated to Mr. Pollard that he was a suspect.” “Did you have any understanding with him—Pollard—about his being free from prosecution in the murder?” “I didn’t make those indications. I had to talk with the District Attorney [Christopher Almy] before any type of bargain was made.” Judge Beaulieu told Billings that since Pollard hadn’t testified yet it would be pure conjecture on his part to say the information is relevant. “For the record, I’m not going to allow at this point for you to make any inquiries in the area that we will characterize as the so-called Cochran incident for the moment.” Shuman stepped down and gave way for Paul Pollard to take the stand. |
| Paul Pollard testifies |
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