ME Heather White, 8, murdered, West Enfield, October 1 1988

[SpoopySoup]

This is my first time posting anything, so if I'm doing something wrong please let me know. I have recently been diving into a closed case from my hometown in Maine. Heather White, age 8, was found murdered in Howland Maine in 1988. She had been sexually assaulted, choked and left to drown in the river. TE <mod edit: changed acquitted minor's name to initials> who was 16 at the time of the murder, was charged with her murder but was found innocent and acquitted in 1990. He testified that he was with Heather in the woods the day she was murdered, but he saw her walking away with a boy around the age of 10. After his acquittal, the state closed the case. I'm trying to gather information about the case but I don't know where to start. I don't know why the case was closed if no one has actually been found guilty of her murder. I'm assuming that TE cannot be tried again due to the double jeopardy laws. I can't even find if the police had other suspects. Does anyone have any information about the case? TIA!

<WS ADMIN NOTE: Added the following link to justify thread opening>

Acquittal In Young Girl's Killing Stuns Rural Maine Town

WEST ENFIELD, Maine (AP) _ A teen-age boy was acquitted in the sexual attack and drowning of an 8- year-old girl, outraging residents of the small town where they both lived.

apnews.com

 

[Sillybilly]

Just for the record ... the term "found innocent" in the article is not accurate. Judges/juries do not find people "innocent". They find them "Not Guilty" which just means that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proving guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" (BARD).

There is a "Declaration of Innocence" that can be applied for but it is rarely, rarely granted and there is no indication in this case that such a declaration was ever applied for and granted.

 

[SpoopySoup]

Just for the record ... the term "found innocent" in the article is not accurate. Judges/juries do not find people "innocent". They find them "Not Guilty" which just means that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proving guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" (BARD).

There is a "Declaration of Innocence" that can be applied for but it is rarely, rarely granted and there is no indication in this case that such a declaration was ever applied for and granted.

Thank you for the clarification. I think the wording in the article also added to my confusion about the state closing the case.

 

[SpoopySoup]

Thank you for the clarification. I think the wording in the article also added to my confusion about the state closing the case.

I'm also assuming that the prosecution brought the case to trial without substantial evidence, but I can't find anything to support that. I would love to know the steps I can take to start gathering some of this information, if anyone can help me out with that I would be super appreciative!

 

[EmiliaRT007]

Ugh.
Murderers, especially those who go after children should rot.

I wonder if this supposed boy he spotted Heather with had something to do with it. You’d be surprised what heinous crimes kids can commit.

 

[SpoopySoup]

Ugh.
Murderers, especially those who go after children should rot.

I wonder if this supposed boy he spotted Heather with had something to do with it. You’d be surprised what heinous crimes kids can commit.

I completely agree. The reason I would question the other boy testimony is the fact that West Enfield, Howland, and Enfield are so small, especially back in the late 80s, that everyone knew (and still knows) everyone. My graduating class in 2007 was 40 something kids. My question would be, did he give a name? And was this kid looked into and cleared? I'm trying to find where the assault took place because there were rumors that it happened at Ring Street school, which is approx. 500 feet from my parents house. The lack of information is so frustrating.

 

[EmiliaRT007]

I completely agree. The reason I would question the other boy testimony is the fact that West Enfield, Howland, and Enfield are so small, especially back in the late 80s, that everyone knew (and still knows) everyone. My graduating class in 2007 was 40 something kids. My question would be, did he give a name? And was this kid looked into and cleared? I'm trying to find where the assault took place because there were rumors that it happened at Ring Street school, which is approx. 500 feet from my parents house. The lack of information is so frustrating.

Yeah. Even if they just release the first name of the boy if it is known that would be a clue.

 

[Brotherfudz]

Wonder if they have the evidence still. Possibly test for DNA

 

[SpoopySoup]

I spoke with a police officer, and a retired police officer yesterday that I know. They both suggested I get in touch with the state's current cold case detectives to see how they can help me. I'm also considering talking with people I know from the town that were aware of the investigation at the time. I'm going to probably start with my dad and go from there.

 

[Kell1]

Not much information on her case, what was the nature of the acquittal?

 

[SpoopySoup]

Not much information on her case, what was the nature of the acquittal?

I'm not sure. I can't even find that so far. I don't know if it was beyond a reasonable doubt or lack of sufficient evidence. I'm going to go to the library soon and see if someone can help me find news paper articles published in The Bangor Daily News. I can't find them online, they probably aren't archived.

 

[Jscott30]

Not much information on her case, what was the nature of the acquittal?

There was really not enough evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. <modsnip - inside information without being verified> Me and Heather were close, I still vividly remember our last day together. I also remember the news footage, I was on it. The news had shown up at our school. I thought Heather was sick because we were together that Friday. I didn't understand why the news was filming us getting on the bus. I fell into a deep depression for two weeks after seeing the newscast.

 

[Jscott30]

Heather White 1988 Cold Case Maine

Clipping found in Journal Tribune published in Biddeford, Maine on 10/3/1988. Heather White 1988 Cold Case Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in Kennebec Journal published in Augusta, Maine on 6/20/1989. Heather White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 11/10/1989. Heather White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

<mod edit: removed screenshots of full-length articles and replaced with clippings of articles>

 

[juniah]

I too have always wondered why the case went cold. I was very much affected by this horrible crime in this small community. I grew up in this area and went to school with TE. After Heather's death, I got to know her parents <modsnip> a little. I was only 16 at the time. All I wanted then is for justice for Heather. I'm now in my 50's and I still want justice.

 

[MadMcGoo]

Heather Marie White (1980-1988) - Find a Grave...

Heather was my Grandmother (By marriage) Etta Evelyn (White) Bailey's 2nd niece

www.findagrave.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 10/3/1988. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 2/15/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 2/18/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 2/18/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in Kennebec Journal published in Augusta, Maine on 2/20/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/20/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/20/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/21/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/22/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 6/22/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 8/16/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 8/16/1989. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 1/27/1990. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 5/16/1990. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (1)

www.newspapers.com

Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

Clipping found in The Bangor Daily News published in Bangor, Maine on 5/16/1990. Heather Marie White 1988 Cold Case Murder Maine (2)

www.newspapers.com

 

[MadMcGoo]

@othram It seems like there was evidence collected in Heather's case. Maybe there's something still available and viable for testing.