UPDATE: A Down East man convicted of three murders is now contesting his conviction, claiming his attorney provided ineffective representation. Thomas Bonfanti, 69, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of a shooting spree that left three dead on February 3, 2020.
In a dramatic post-conviction review hearing held Monday morning at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor, Bonfanti argued that his previous lawyer, Jeff Toothaker, failed to adequately prepare him for trial. Bonfanti claimed he was involved in every decision but felt rushed and unprepared when he took the stand.
Bonfanti was convicted of murdering Jennifer Bryant Flynn, 49, Samuel Powers, 33, and Shawn Currey, 57. He also shot Regina Hall Long, 49, who survived the attack. During the hearing, Bonfanti insisted that the shootings were accidents and acts of self-defense, raising questions about the legal strategy employed by Toothaker.
Toothaker testified that he had only 47 days to prepare for the case after being appointed. He stated that he cleared his schedule to focus solely on Bonfanti’s defense but learned key details only during the trial. “We never went over the case,” Bonfanti said. “He didn’t want to know what happened.”
The hearing highlighted Bonfanti’s claims that Toothaker did not present sufficient forensic evidence or witnesses to support his defense. Bonfanti’s new attorney, James Howaniec, argued that a lack of forensic analysis could have changed the jury’s perspective on the case. Witnesses like forensic expert Marc Dupre were called to discuss potential evidence that could have changed the trial’s outcome.
Bonfanti described the events of that fateful day, saying he shot Powers accidentally when his gun discharged, and later shot Flynn in a moment of panic after her dog charged at him. He claimed he shot Long and Currey when his gun fell during a struggle. “It was a pretty bad day for all of them,” Bonfanti said, insisting he was “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The implications of this hearing could be significant for Bonfanti, who is fighting for a chance to overturn his conviction. The courtroom drama continues as both sides prepare for what could be a pivotal moment in this high-profile case. Legal experts and the community are watching closely, as the outcome may set a precedent for future defenses in similar cases.
As the hearing unfolds, the legal community and the families affected by this tragedy will be waiting with bated breath. What happens next could change everything for Bonfanti, and the impact of these revelations resonates deeply within the affected communities.
