Maine man to serve 10 years for West Gardiner killing

A West Gardiner man who shot and killed a man outside his house in 2017 has been ordered to serve 10 years behind bars.

Derrick Dupont, 28, pleaded guilty to manslaughter under an agreement in which a murder charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

James Haskell, 41, was shot and killed outside of Dupont's home on June 17, 2017.

"We think the sentence was fair and judge stokes made a good decision," said Assistant Attorney General John Alsop. "They're very sad about the loss of their son and this is something that never should have happened. Guns and alcohol do not mix as the judge said... There's no reason on earth for the defendant to use a gun in this situation."

A court filing for the defense suggests Haskell was trespassing and threatening the occupants of the home before he was shot several times. He was dead when police arrived.

"It's always been our position and there's ample evidence to support it that derrick legitimately believed that his life was in danger and the lives of the other occupants of the home were in danger when he took the steps that he did," said defense attorney Scott Hess. "So we are disappointed in regard to the initial period of incarceration that the court imposed, and derrick is going to consider his appeal options."

Dupont will also serve 4 years probation.