State of Maine v. John A. Weckerly

[¶ 1] John A. Weckerly appeals from a judgment of conviction for arson (Class A), 17-A M.R.S. § 802(1)(B)(2) (2017), entered by the trial court (Penobscot County, Anderson, J. ) after a jury trial. Weckerly argues that the court's admission of evidence of crimes of which he was acquitted in a prior trial violated the collateral estoppel component of double jeopardy. Given the unique circumstances presented in this case, we agree and vacate the judgment.

I. BACKGROUND

[¶ 2] In November of 2011, a Penobscot County grand jury indicted Weckerly on one count of arson (Class A), 17-A M.R.S. §…