PARIS — The case of a Buckfield man accused of shooting his girlfriend in the face during a fight at their house in April 2013 is expected to go to trial this week.
Scott Ackley, 41, was indicted in August on aggravated assault, domestic violence reckless conduct and domestic assault charges. He was arrested April 8, 2013, at the Depot Road home he shared with Sharon Demayo, 38, the victim of the shooting.
In an interview outside Oxford County Superior Court on Tuesday, Ackley’s attorney, Jim Howaniec, said he negotiated in good faith with the District Attorneys in the case, but could not come to an acceptable plea agreement.
Howaniec said the evidence is “undisputed” that Demayo’s finger was on the trigger when she was shot, as Ackley tried to wrestle the weapon away from her.
“We feel strongly that this is a case of self-defense,” Howaniec said. He estimated the trial would not last more than two days. Jury selection is scheduled for Thursday.
According to police, Ackley and Demayo were drunk and arguing about a lost set of car keys at the time of the shooting.
According to an affidavit from Maine State Police Detective Randall Keaten, witnesses said Demayo and Ackley had just returned from a local bar when she went into another room and returned with a 9 mm handgun. Ackley and Demayo struggled over the firearm before it went off, striking Demayo below her left nostril and exiting near her jaw, according to Keaten.
Demayo was treated at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston and had reconstructive surgery on her jaw, her sister said the day after the shooting.
There are conflicting accounts of the shooting, from Ackley, Demayo and two witnesses at the scene.
According to Keaten’s affidavit, Demayo told police at the scene and later at CMMC that she believed her finger was on the trigger when the gun went off. Two days after the shooting, however, she said Ackley had taken the gun from and shot her with it.
Demayo’s son, who witnessed the fight, told police he saw Ackley punch Demayo in the face, take the pistol and shoot her after she kicked him in the leg.
Ackley, in an interview with Keaten at Oxford County Jail in Paris the day after the shooting, said he believed Demayo’s finger was on the trigger when the gun went off and did not think the weapon was loaded. After police told him the trajectory of the bullet conflicted with his statement, he acknowledged he might have shot her, according to the affidavit.
Ackley and Demayo have filed protection from abuse orders on each other in 11th District Court in Paris.
pmcguire@sunjournal.com
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