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A Lewiston man is appealing his murder conviction in the death of the mother of his child.
The Maine supreme court heard oral arguments on Wednesday.
A jury found 26-year-old Jaquille Coleman guilty in November 2022 of murdering his girlfriend Natasha Morgan. He was sentenced to 47 years in prison.
Coleman shot and killed the 19-year-old in August 2020.
Morgan’s family said she was shot and killed in front of her mother and her child.
The family said Morgan and her mother got there at the same time Coleman was dropping off their baby girl for a birthday party.
Just a day before she was shot, her aunt said Morgan had told her about her abusive and controlling relationship, and they were starting to plan her escape, which included a protection from abuse order.
According to the state, Coleman is now arguing the trial court made errors, including admitting evidence that the victim feared Coleman would hurt her.
Coleman is looking to appeal both the conviction and sentence.
