State v. Willoughby

McKUSICK, Chief Justice.

This appeal squarely raises the question whether an intrafamily testimonial privilege exists under either the Maine or the United States Constitution. Holding that it does not, the Superior Court after a jury trial convicted the three defendants, Robert Willoughby, his wife Rita, and his daughter Stacy, all of Gardiner, of criminal contempt for refusing to testify in the earlier trial of Philip Willoughby for the murder in Augusta of Paula Roberts. The Superior Court sentenced Robert and Rita to the county jail for nine months and Stacy for thirty days. On their…