AUBURN — Androscoggin Historical Society will sponsor a program on “The Littlefield Mysteries” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the society’s Davis-Wagg Museum on the third floor of the County Building. Percy Turner, retired Maine State Trooper, will tell the details of the event.
The town of Paris made national news in 1937 when the bodies of Dr. James Littlefield and his wife, Lydia, were discovered in the doctor’s car in New Jersey, having been driven there by local 17-year-old Paul Dwyer. Dwyer would give authorities several different versions of how the murders came to pass, but his initial admission of guilt along with the physical evidence would build a conviction and land him in the Maine State Prison.
On the other hand, a deputy sheriff, Francis Carroll, was accused of incest with his daughter, which the doctor had learned about. The twists and turns of the evidence and corrupt law enforcement ended up with Carroll’s conviction of the doctor’s murder. Therefore, while only one could have done it, two people were convicted of the same crime.
Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. For more information about the society, call 207-784-0586. Enter the County Building on the Court Street side. An elevator is available.
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