Easton Man Found Guilty in Murder of Stepfather

A 38-year-old Easton man has been found guilty of murder in the January 2018 shooting death of his stepfather.

A jury delivered its verdict late Tuesday afternoon in Aroostook County Superior Court in Houlton, according to WABI-TV.

James Peaslee was on trial for the murder of 79-year-old Paul Hilenski, Sr., who was found dead in his home on the Boundary Line Road in Bridgewater. The victim's son, Paul Hilenski, Jr. told the court that he had installed a security system at the home because he was concerned for his father's safety.

Video from that surveillance system showed someone running up to the door, knocking, then firing a gun multiple times, before running away. That person was later identified by the Aroostook County Sheriff as Peaslee.

Maine Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin said that all the facts together proved beyond a reasonable doubt that James Peaslee shot his stepfather. She said Peaslee's plan was to set up his brother as the shooter by concealing tattoos and changing a jacket and getting himself seen on surveillance video at a local convenience store shortly before he committed the murder.