PARIS, Maine - An admitted murderer plans to appeal pretrial rulings that preceded his decision to plead guilty to killing four people, including an Arkansas man, in western Maine.
Christian Nielsen, 32, pleaded guilty earlier this month to four counts of murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Among his victims was 50-year-old James Whitehurst of Batesville.
Nielsen can withdraw his plea if his attorneys win their appeal of a judge's refusal to suppress statements Nielsenmade to police and his father. He also may appeal a ruling that he was fit to stand trial.
Nielsen admitted killing the owner of the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast, her daughter and the daughter's friend, as well as Whitehurst, who was a handyman at the inn, over the 2006 Labor Day weekend.
According to a sentencing memorandum signed by Assistant Attorney General Andrew Benson, Nielsen wanted to take over the inn. He told investigators that he had been thinking about killing people for several years.
Arkansas, Pages 16 on 10/26/2007