[May 16, 2013] Murder trial of Bangor woman accused of slaying husband in bathtub to go forward Tweet BANGOR, Maine, May 16, 2013 (Bangor Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The murder trial of a local woman will go forward next month after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday refused to hear an appeal over the competency of Roxanne Jeskey before there is a verdict in the case. Jeskey, 49, of Bangor is accused of brutally slaying her husband in the couple's bathtub in June 2011. Earlier this month, Superior Court Justice Ann Murray found Jeskey competent to stand trial. She also ordered that the defendant be committed to Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta "for psychiatric observation, evaluation and ongoing assessment of competency pending trial." Jeskey's attorneys, Joseph Baldacci and David Bate, both of Bangor, appealed the decision. The Maine attorney general's office, which is prosecuting the case, filed a motion to dismiss Friday. It was granted by the court Wednesday, according to Assistant Attorney Donald Macomber, who handles appellate work for the attorney general. Jeskey has pleaded not guilty to intentional or knowing murder and depraved indifference murder in the death of her husband, Richard Jeskey, 53, in their Ohio Street apartment. His naked and bloody body was found June 13, 2011. He was beaten and strangled, according to autopsy results. To rule Jeskey is competent, Murray had to conclude by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant understands the nature of the charges, comprehends her own condition in relation to those charges and the consequences of a conviction and is able to assist in her own defense. Murray, who is to preside at Jeskey's trial, issued her decision May 7 after a four-day competency hearing in April. Four expert witnesses -- two for the prosecution and two for the defense -- gave conflicting opinions concerning whether Jeskey could assist her attorneys at trial. All agreed that Jeskey's memory and cognitive skills have been impaired by the removal of a brain tumor in 2004. The judge said that she based her ruling not only on the experts' opinions but on her own observations of the defendant over the course of the hearing. Murray wrote that Jeskey "appeared to be paying attention throughout the proceedings and she did not appear to be distracted." "Jeskey interacted with defense counsel, and sometimes her interactions were followed by a request for a break," the judge said. "When she appeared in distress she turned to her attorneys. Ms. Jeskey made eye contact with the court frequently and appropriately during the multi-day hearing." If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine. ___ (c)2013 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) Visit the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at www.bangordailynews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]