Central Maine Woman Accused of Shooting Boyfriend During “Bender”

A 21-year-old woman from Benton, Maine has pleaded not guilty to shooting the man she was dating during an incident in August.

According to an article in the KJ, Hailie Hotham, of Benton, is facing charges including attempted murder after investigators say she shot 19-year-old Izeck Spaulding of Benton during an argument at her home in Benton on August 8th.

Spaulding went into surgery for a gunshot wound to the neck after being rushed to the hospital, according to the Kennebec County Sheriffs Office.

Hotham has entered not guilty pleas at the Capital Judicial Center. The charges include attempted murder, domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, and domestic violence aggravated assault.

She spoke only to enter her pleas when Judge Amy Dieterich asked for them.  She remains out on $25,000 cash bail and is scheduled to return to court in January for a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence filed by her attorney, Walter McKee.

According to an affidavit from Deputy Chad Webster, the two had been arguing after Spaulding insulted her.

Hotham told investigators she tried reaching out to Spaulding's friends to help get him out of the house.  One friend warned her that trying to remove him could turn violent.

Hotham and her younger sister stepped out of the home and called another friend who had helped settle a similar situation just two days earlier.  That friend convinced Spaulding to leave.  As he was heading out, police say he continued to insult her and she fired a Glock nine millimeter pistol.  Officers secured the firearm at the scene.

The affidavit says Hotham tried to help Spaulding while they waited for the ambulance.

She was arrested there and told police she fired the shot and should not have done it.

Spaulding was taken to Thayer Center for Health in Waterville and then flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland where he underwent surgery.

Hotham later told investigators the two had been on an alcohol and cocaine binge for several days.

Her attorney has said there is a long list of details and circumstances surrounding what happened that day and those will eventually come out in court.  The most serious charges she faces are Class A crimes that carry a possible sentence of up to thirty years behind bars.