Man arrested in 1980 murder of Maine high school student
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Phillip Scott Fournier, left, was arrested in the murder of Joyce McLain, right. (Penobscot County Jail/Maine State Police)
Maine State Police said Friday they have made an arrest in the 35-year-old unsolved murder of high school student Joyce McLain.
Philip Scott Fournier, 55, of East Millinocket, was charged with murder, police said. Fournier had been considered a person of interest in the murder for many years and was questioned several times after McLain’s death, WGME-TV reported.
Fournier, who was 19 at the time of the killing, was booked into Penobscot County Jail at 1 p.m.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}McLain was 16-year-old at the time of her death. She was last seen on the night of Aug. 8, 1980 while she was out for a jog. Two days later, she was found in a clearing near Schenck High School in Millinocket. Her head and neck had been struck by a blunt object, according to WGME-TV.
At least two witnesses said Fournier was near the track where McLain was jogging and near where her body was discovered. Police said she was a well-liked student and that Fournier knew the McLain family.
WFVX-TV reported, citing an affidavit, Fournier confessed to the murder several times, telling a pastor that he did something “beyond comprehension.” The affidavit also details his alleged confession to a friend saying a group killed McLain and he was forced to participate in the barbaric act. He also allegedly said the teen was bound with her hands tied behind her back.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}State Police Chief Col. Robert Williams said more than anything, the continued persistence into the cold case led to the arrest, according to WGME-TV.
"In 2008, Joyce's body was exhumed and taken to the medical examiner's office for reexamination," Williams said. "Since that time the State Police crime lab and a team of detectives from the major crimes unit ace worked closely with the Attorney General's office. They have comprehensively reviewed all the old and new evidence. And as a result of that have arrested Scott Fournier."
Williams said he spoke to McLain’s mother and said she was relieved by Fournier’s arrest.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}WGME-TV reported that Fournier has prior convictions for possession of child pornography, burglarly and theft.
Fournier is expected to make a court appearance in Bangor on Monday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}