A story of desperation...a message of hope and inspiration.
Dale Thistle stole over a quarter million dollars from a Maine family...over ten years ago, but was only convicted in 2024. He has appealed. I don't believe he has spent one day in jail, though he was sentenced.
Here is the decision at Justia, and a story about it in the Bangor Daily News.
I haven't posted lately. I've been busy. Due to the actions of police and of my accuser/abuser, I was evicted from my apartment in Lewiston, Maine.
Pete and I are living in Saint Agatha now. We use one of the two homes on the property as a short-term rental.
The zoom meeting info is here, and you have to register to be sent the information to join in.
https://www.mainehistory.org/events/libertys-prison/
https://www.givesendgo.com/my-gool-get-out-of-lewiston
Last year I created a campaign at GoFundMe; and it was suspended, but put back up eventually. Then I was arrested for exercising my right to free speech and took it down.
Why aren't candidates for political offices addressing the obvious lack of accountability of law enforcement in Maine? And the violations of 6th Amendment rights which Maine is being sued for, by the ACLU? I am not giving up.
I spoke at the forum to address youth violence last Wednesday. It took place at the Cavalry Christian Church at 777 Maine Street. The exterior is black and doesn't look like a church at all. A few years ago the building was being used by a bitcoin company. I cleaned and painted the interior.
News Center Maine was at the event. I gave Christian Harson my information. Several people spoke; most were critical of parents who they feel should be held responsible when their children commit crime. Those who spoke wanted more support for Lewiston police, such as federal law enforcement.
I got in line; the first thing I mentioned was that adults need to be good examples for children, starting with holding Lewiston police officers accountable when they clearly violate the law. Jon Fetherston was sitting in the front row, and got up and came to the podium and told me this wasn't the place to be discussing that; but I told him I wasn't done, and continued.
The new chief has asked for off-duty cars for officers... claiming that it would help her to recruit. I suggested if officers don't live very far from the station, pay them to walk to work. Foot patrols were promised, but never happened. Have you ever seen any officers walking on the streets of Lewiston without there being a police car nearby? I haven't. If they are doing foot patrols, I'd like to see the documentation.
Though I blog, I could use help with posting stories, and getting more followers. I've had a Youtube account for years, but only posted a few videos. Below is the link. If I get 100 subscribers I'll be able to get a custom URL.
https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCxfpkVFPN2aqYQSOPQkj43A
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It's difficult to overturn a conviction, even when you're 100% innocent.
The justices just heard a case, and ruled 8-1 in Fernandez v United States. Only one Supreme Court justice believes in compassionate release. The decision is 45 pages.
I've been posting my paypal link under my most recent blog posts, so people can donate to support me; however, I just created a GiveSendGo...and called it My GOOL Get Out Of Lewiston. Will you share it with your friends, and consider donating?
It was while watching a public testimony on bills in the Criminal Justice Committee at the capital in April of 2026, that I first learned about the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court case Counterman v. Colorado; members were discussing if changes to Maine statutes needed to be made regarding mens rea (intent) in criminal cases. The discussion regarding it begins around 5:15:00.
Counterman changed the standard from "recklessly" to "intentionally or knowingly" believe an individual's behavior would cause harm. The changes should have made my defense against the stalking charges even stronger.
Katherine MacCrae, an Assistant District Attorney in Androscoggin County, who had argued for the state in the appeal of the decision in State of Maine v. Jacob Labbe, was explaining that slight changes should be made to Maine statutes to reflect the decision in Counterman. Labbe lost his appeal.
However, there were two other cases mentioned in the legislative meeting. The Counterman decision was used by Hasahn Carter to beat two of the charges against him during the 4 day jury trial. I recognized the name of the lawyer representing him: Michelle King.
The first time I spoke with Michelle, she wouldn't take Shane's Post Conviction Review (PCR), but when I called her again six months later she'd agree to take it. The state of Maine doesn't appoint you an attorney for a PCR, but if you find one that is on the roster of the MCPDS, they can represent you and the MCPDS should pay. However, Shane later dropped the PCR, afraid that the judge who sentenced him, Nelson in Aroostook County, would add time to his sentence...to send a message!
I did feel Shane was sentenced more harshly (9 years) than he would have been if the evidence of self-defense that I provided to his attorney had been investigated and presented to a jury, or judge...just not Judge Stephen Nelson, who blocked me from making statements during sentencing which was done by Zoom. There''ve been so much incompetence or corruption in the judicial system there ought to be a review of all prisoners, yet people in Maine have been trying for years to bring back parole, to no avail.
Yeah I certainly don't trust Judge Nelson. He presided over the malicious prosecution of me after I'd been arrested for disorderly conduct. He denied me an attorney, and put out a bench warrant for my arrest after I didn't appear for a hearing to pick a jury! I had a good reason, but that didn't matter to him.
Besides the Labbe case, there were two more cases mentioned in the vide; I replayed it and wrote the names of the defendants. In State of Maine v. Hasahn Carter at paragraph 20:
In November 2023, Carter filed a motion to dismiss Countys 1 and 8 of the indictment. The trial court (Hjelm, A.R.J.) held a hearing on the motion at which the State agreed to dismiss County 8 (terrorizing) based on potential constitutional issues following the United States Supreme Court's decision in Counterman v. Colorado, 600 U.S. 66 (2023). The court granted the motion to dismiss Count 1 (Class A robbery) over the State's objection because it concluded that Count 1 did not include an allegation of the requisite state of mind.
Two counts were dismissed because of the Counterman case. Carter was convicted of a slew of other charges in connection with a violent home invasion and was sentenced to 14 years, and 4 years probation. In the third case mentioned, State of Maine v. Timothy McFarland:
On May 2, 2024 defendant filed the instant motion, arguing that the charge arises under a statute that is facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
...when section 651 was enacted it was constitutional based on the then-current understanding of the First Amendment. To the extent that the statute does not contain a culpable state of mind as an element, it has become unconstitutional pursuant to Counterman." (Emphasis in original.)
In January of 2025, a judge in Kennebec County Superior Court issued an order in a case that was filed by the ACLU four years ago, regarding the lack of counsel for criminal defendants.
The judge presiding over the case, is Micaela Murphy, a former attorney for Madawaska native Dennis Dechaine. Books were written detailing the flawed investigation and trial, and many efforts made to get him a new trial...to no avail.
In response to the 41 page order in Kennebec County (in the above link, 41 pages), the Maine Attorney General's office responded with a whopping 123 pager. In the document is legislation regarding the MCPDS, and data about incarcerated defendants.
In yet another document, (State of Maine's appellate brief), on page 19, I found this:
RIII. Whether the Superior Court erred in concluding that Plaintiffs’inability to
identify any Class Representative now or previously without counsel at a
stage of their criminal prosecution where the absence of counsel
irremediably destroyed their right to a fair trial does not eliminate Plaintiffs’standing and entitlement to a permanent injunction.
I was severely damaged by the lack of counsel regarding my case in Aroostook County; I was arrested without a warrant or probable cause. I was denied an attorney and the case was eventually dismissed. Then after I failed to appear to pick a jury for trial I was arrested, on Memorial Day weekend of 2025... and spent the entire weekend (4 nights) in the county jail in Houlton.
I'm a plaintiff in the class action lawsuit! I'll be sending the ACLU some information regarding my case, for inclusion in the 6th Amendment case: Robbins v. MCPDS (Maine Commission for Public Defense Services). I'll get a tracking number when I mail it, and post it here at my blog.
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Last month, people who are instrumental in getting legislation passed regarding family court procedures, came to Maine. An event was held in Trenton which I attended. Here's a little something about Mr. Garza from the website:
Robert Garza survived a brutal 16-year custody battle and over 43 false CPS allegations. Today, he leads the international movement for family court reform...
Robert created bills to stop or discourage parental alienation; and he and his team help people pass legislation in their states. Pick a bill that you'd like to see passed in your state, and join the Zoom meeting on Monday or Wednesday nights. A chat rooms for each state is available so you can work with others in your state.
Did you know that 20% of Maine’s population has been impacted by the criminal justice system? More than 40,000 Mainers cycle through our prisons and jails annually.
I am now one of them. Because of the stalking conviction, I won't be able to work in a school again for a while. I began my cleaning business one summer and later quit my Ed Tech job when it became difficult to do my job because I was experiencing domestic violence...though it didn't involve physical abuse. It was too difficult to maintain a positive demeanor in front of the children.
Paypal Link to support Paula with a donation.
The Maine Supreme Court occassionally holds oral arguments at Maine high schools. They were in Bingham on October 7, 2025. Here's a link to the video. Fast forward, the first 50 minutes has nothing.
In State v. Dennis Lemieux (KEN 2024-341), at 1:14:00 the lawyer for LeMieux, Dan Lawson, mentions Counterman v. Colorado: a 2023 Supreme Court case involving stalking/terrorizing charges. Here's a short animated video explaining it.
SCOTUS sent the case back to Colorado, and Counterman's conviction was overturned. You can read more at SPARC (Stalking Awareness and Prevention Center), but basically the case is about the standard for determining whether certain speech (such as social media posts), are free speech or true threats that aren't protected speech.
The decision in Counterman should have helped me regarding the stalking charges against me...but it didn't.
The other case the Maine justices heard was Robbins v Maine Commission on Public Defense Services (KEN 2025-137). The class action 6th Amendment case was filed by the ACLU in 2022. Being discussed was habeas corpus...whether criminal defendants should be released if not appointed attorneys within a set number of days.
There's already been a decision by a Maine judge, Micaela Murphy, in Robbins. Before she became a judge, Micaela Murphy was a lawyer for Madawaska's Dennis Dechaine. Murphy said when the state fails to appoint counsel, defendants should be released, and once attorneys are available, the cases can be refiled.
The reason the order isn't being implemented is there's a concern that dangerous people might be released. Also, attorneys for the Maine Commission for Public Defense Services claim that the ACLU hasn't proved that any class action defendant was withoucount sl during crucial stages of their case.
HELLO! I was arrested on 7-10-24 and didn't get an attorney at all in eAroostook County; and when I failed to appear (FTA) to pick a jury, I was arrested and spent 4 nights in jail. The case against me was dismissed for no other reason than District Attorney Todd Collins said I had been punished enough for the FTA.
Regarding charges against me filed in Lincoln County for stalking and violation of a protection order, the state of Maine's witness claims that my social media posts were threatening and caused distress. I wasn't given an attorney regarding those charges until September! By then 5 Lewiston police officers had breeched my door, and taken my Iphone without a warrant; they then released me from jail after midnight, two miles from my home...that's real distress, not imagined or invented.
I wonder if the students did any research afterward. Schools ought to teach a course in the Constitution. The decision is not popular with domestic violence groups; you can read why at the Stalking Prevention & Awarenes Resource Center.
I'm about to leave for Wiscasset. I'm being sentenced today after being convicted of stalking, by a Maine jury on 2-24-26. I would not accept a plea because I'm innocent. The judge and lawyers control what a jury sees and hears, or doesn't get to.
12 of 14 counts were dismissed on the day of trial, and that's something that the jury should have been informed of, as it's a good indication this is a malicious prosecution. I was found not guilty of violations of a protection order. Due to the allegations, I've suffered much distress and damage to my reputation as well as loss of income.
The protection order has since been extended; of course no judge will admit he was wrong or that another judge was. A condition on the order says that I cannot post personally identifiable information about the state's witness.
I'm being silenced. My story hasn't been reported by Maine or national media outlets. The D.A. wanted to give me credit for time served (CTS); I suppose he's referring to the 30 or so hours spent in Androscoggin County jail (one overnight) due to the arrests. I'm innocent...but being punished for exposing the District Attorney Kent Murdick.
Robert Garza, a victim of parental alienation himself, has been helping people nationwide, to pass legislation aimed at preventing it...and other types of coercive control/abuse. His team came to Maine last month. I attended the event in Trenton.
At this link, you can chat with others (through Messenger) who are grouped according to what state (or country) they are in. We must demand that our government (legislative, executive, and judicial branches), both state and federal, address our concerns about the lack of due process in our courts.
Here's a good read regarding parental alienation. Here's something from the article:
The “Time Taken Time Back” law and the “3 Strike Law for Interference with Child Custody” are critical steps in this process. These legal reforms ensure that parents are not unjustly cut off from their children and that those who attempt to manipulate the system face real consequences.
By focusing on both reforming family/criminal law and supporting healthy co-parenting practices, we can ensure that the best interests of children remain at the forefront of family/ criminal law decisions, bringing about the change that families so desperately need.
An officer, Mathew Furman, was found not guilty regarding the deployment of a taser in one case on a mother, in the presence of her children. A jury found him not guilty of that, but in another case in which he tasered a man, found him guilty. In a third case, he plead guilty before trial. Here's the Youtube video on America's Attorney.
I'll be posting Youtube videos at my Youtube channel more often. It's free to sign up.
If you wish to support Paula and this blog, you can make a donation through Paypal.
Robert Garza knows all about parental alienation. He travels around the world to share the knowledge he acquired through his own experiences; and he's been helping others pass legislation in their states to stop the abuse in family courts!
An event is happening today in Trenton...organized by a few people who I never met but had conversations with. I plan on attending.
To support Paula, you can make a donation through her Paypal link.
Last month I sent a letter to the Maine Commission for Public Defense Services; it was a request for a new attorney. It was received on March 5, 2026...picked up at 8:40 a.m., 9589071052702739723660; and a copy sent to the Attorney General of Maine was picked up at the same time, 9589071052702739723677.
After a Maine jury convicted me of stalking, another lawyer was appointed to me; however, he says he's only representing me regarding the sentencing...which should not even happen! There needs to be a new trial scheduled, but I don't trust any State of Maine judge to preside over it.
To support Paula, you can make a donation through her Paypal link.
Prior to the trial by jury I told my lawyer that the state's witness had not only misused the protection order against me, but against another individual who I intended to have testify...against my lawyer's advice.
My abuser/accuser only claims to have suffered distress...while I actually did suffer distress and damages for my social media posts to defend against the false claims of harassment.
I've been wanting to send an emergency petition to the Supreme Court of the United States. However, I just read this story at WGME about a mother who filed a lawsuit because her teenager was being assisted at school, to transition to a different gender.
In 2024, a judge ruled that Lavigne failed to point out any policy in which the school was required to tell her what was going on. A federal appeals court upheld that dismissal in July 2025.
A parent should have such information, and the school be required to get permission from parents regarding gender transitioning. The supreme court declined to hear Amber Lavigne's case.
Some of the comments in social media, like in my Facebook account under the story, make me sick...they're parent shaming this poor woman. Our government is broken, society sick!
(You can support this blog by making a donation to Paula's paypal link)
I asked my previous court-appointed attorney to put a letter in my file in court, for jurors to see. It was written in March of 2025 by the executive director of the Maine Commission for Public Defense Services, and sent to the eight prosecutorial districts in Maine. It's regarding the ACLU's lawsuit for violations of the 6th amendment.
My lawyer did not want to enter the MCPDS letter as an exhibit, but I insisted; you'll find the 2-page letter on pages 12 and 13 of the 125-page Maine attorney general's response to the injunctive order. Here's a paragraph from the letter:
PDS also urges you to ask your attorneys to evaluate each of their cases to ensure they can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If there are proof problems, missing witnesses, or other issues with the State's case, then consider dismissing those or making offers reflective of the current circumstances.
The MCPDS letter was labeled Exhibit A in my stalking case in Lincoln County, and attached to a motion to continue; however, I don't believe the jury ever saw the letter. The judge controls what the jury sees and hears...or doesn't.
I will be making a complaint to the Board of Bar of Overseers regarding District Attorney Kent Murdick. You can read one of his emails to my former lawyer in my post on March 5, 2026. He asked my lawyer if they should dismiss some of the charges, give me credit for time served; but I hadn't yet been found guilty of anything!
Regardless, I was jailed overnight for failure to appear after notifying the court that I had an obstruction in my eye and couldn't drive. Get this, I was jailed for failing to appear at my arraignment when I was without an attorney; but then once I was appointed an attorney, and I was ready to appear by zoom...he and the judge didn't conference me in! They did the same thing regarding a docket call.
My son did not testify in the trial...he had his reasons. And when my lawyer on the day of trial, asked me if I wanted the guards at Maine State Prison to force him into the van because he was reluctant, I told him "No." I should get a new trial, and I'll ask my attorney to subpoena him if I have to. They say you only get one bite of the apple; well, if the apple is rotten they should give you another one.
I haven't heard from my new lawyer yet; Judge Walker extended the deadline by which a new trial has to be requested. It's usually two weeks from the judgment date, and for an appeal, three weeks. I was found guilty of stalking, but 12 of the 14 other counts or charges regarding violations of a protection order were dismissed...malicious prosecution?
Written in 2025 by a Ph.D, here's a link to: The Best Interest of the Child: A Measurable Standard to End Legal Ritual and Restore Constitutional Order.
Intended for scholars, legal professionals, psychologists, and policymakers, this paper provides a foundation for more coherent practice and policy design in child-related systems.
At the OSF website, I saw that Sturtevant wrote about Troxel, a United States Supreme Court case that I read about a few weeks ago, regarding grandparent rights to visits with their grandchildren.
In a meeting today, I said I would research the issue after someone mentioned that after giving birth, an inmate in Maine is quite distressed about being denied access to her baby. I found a 49 page report from last fall; and here it is.
I called the courthouse in Wiscasset his morning to find out if I can share the zoom meeeting information for my scheduled appearnance tomoorrow morning at 8:30, which is open to the public. The clerk had to put me on hold to get the answer. I recorded our conversation, as I don't want to be arrested again for violating the current protection order. She said I can share the information, but it will be up to the presiding judge if people who try will be let into the hearing.
The hearing is for an extension of a protection from harassment order placed on me, which expires on March 26. My accuser/abuser has requested that it be extended.
https://courts-maine-gov.zoom.us
Mtg I.D. 98321690303
Passcode 057272
I won't have the assistance of counsel for this matter apparently. Below is a question I asked of my court-appointed attorney yesterday, and his reply.
"Thank you for filing the motions to continue sentencing, and extend the deadlines for the appeal and a new trial. I made several requests that you locate my phone and verify the chain of custody while you were working on this case; I even asked for a Frank's hearing which I believe would have confirmed its location and whether police had the authority to take it or not." Paula
"We can talk about the scope of my service to you after the judge determines whether or not I will continue to represent you after Thursday's hearing." Attorney Parsons
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