BIDDEFORD, Maine - A federal judge will decide whether the city of Biddeford has any responsibility in the deaths of two people who were shot by their landlord in 2012. The mothers of Derrick Thompson and Alivia Welch allege that officers who responded to the scene before the shootings should be held accountable for failing to arrest or detain the now convicted 81-year-old James Pak.
Court filings show Pak threatened to shoot one of the victims in front of a police officer, but officers never asked if he had a gun.
The city argues that the mothers have not met their legal burden to hold Biddeford officials and police officers responsible for the deaths of the children.
The Portland Press Herald reports there is no timetable for the judge to make a decision.