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STORY UPDATE

Raymond Hatch, better known by the name "Butch", never went to trial on the first-degree murder charge in the death of 19-year-old Eric Wilson. In late 1980, he struck a deal with the county prosecutor and finally pleaded to a charge of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to serve 26 years behind bars. In the end, that sentence had been reduced to just 13 years.

In early 1992, just before Raymond Hatch was to be released from the Limon Correctional Facility, he was accused of possessing a contraband instrument, a potentially deadly etching tool. A conviction on that type of felony charge, coupled with his prior record, might have finally marked him as a 'habitual criminal' and destined him to serve a mandatory life sentence.

He was again detained and held in jail. Months later, after a full investigation and prolonged trial, a jury acquitted Raymond Hatch of the contraband charge and he was finally released from prison in 1993.

It was then that Lincoln County Sheriff Leroy Yowell bought the 46-year-old Raymond Hatch a one-way bus ticket back to his hometown of Brunswick, Maine. Yowell duly notified the Brunswick Police of Hatch's release date, as they'd requested, and told them when to expect the bus.

Once home, it didn't take long for Raymond Hatch to fall back into his old habits.

Within two months of his return he was in jail accused of stealing some cheese from a convenience store. Over the ensuing months police would often cite him for loitering and sleeping on public property.

But, in 1994 the Brunswick Police responded to a 911 call from the apartment of Raymond Hatch's longtime girlfriend, 50-year-old Beverly Hafford. Apparently an argument had erupted over some cigarettes, which ended with Hatch stabbing her in the rib cage with an 8-inch steak knife.

Hatch was picked up and charged with Aggravated Assault a (Class B) crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. By the time the matter reached court Hatch was only convicted of simple ASSAULT (CLASS D) and received a sentence of 364 days in the Cumberland County Jail and a $10 fine for stabbing his girlfriend. He served nine months before he was again released in 1995.

It was at that time that the fifth estate decided to go back to Brunswick, Maine and find out what happened to Raymond 'Butch' Hatch. (watch the update)

By September of 1996 Hatch was again charged with CRIMINAL TRESPASS and sentenced to 90 days in jail. He served 2 days before being released.

In 1997, Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Department deputies found Raymond Hatch, at 1:30 a.m. outside a local supermarket, where he was found sleeping in the parking lot.

A police computer check revealed that Hatch was already on probation for a previous CRIMINAL TRESPASS charge at a local Dunkin' Donuts. It also showed that he had not been in contact with his probation officer in months. He was arrested for violating the conditions of his probation and held in custody.

On the morning of January 3rd, 2000 Raymond Hatch aged 52, died in his small apartment in Bangor, Maine. Information on his last years is scarce – what little is known is that he died alone, while in yet another rehabilitation program for drug and alcohol addiction. (see Hatch's death certificate) (.pdf file)

(With notes from Denver Post, Portland Press Herald & Bangor Daily News)

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