Judge rejects motion to dismiss in Farmington murders case

Accused murderer Timothy Verrill smiles as he chats with defense lawyer Meredith Lugo on Friday, a day after a mistrial was declared. (Rochester Voice photo)

DOVER - A motion to dismiss with prejudice two first-degree murder charges against the man accused in the 2017 deaths of two women in Farmington was denied on Monday, according to court documents released Friday.
Timothy Verrill, 38, formerly of Belknap Street, Dover, was seeking the dismissal due to numerous Brady violations by prosecutors.
Brady violations occur whenever prosecutors fail to turn over exculpatory or possibly exculpatory evidence to the defense.
A motion to dismiss with prejudice would prohibit the government from continued prosecution of the case, and Verrill would be freed.
Verrill's trial in October 2019 was more than halfway through when numerous Brady violations were discovered.
State prosecutors sought to correct the discovery violations but on Oct. 31 acknowledged that during their search for evidence to turn over they found it would be an overwhelming task and could not be expedited.
The next day Judge Steven M. Houran declared a mistrial, and the jury was excused.
"In the months following the mistrial, the defense team reviewed the additional undisclosed discovery, amounting to more than 500 written pages and 39 separate discs of media," Strafford County Superior Court Judge Mark E. Howard wrote in his decision to deny.
Judge Howard further noted that, "Even if the court were to conclude that Verrill suffered actual prejudice, dismissal with prejudice would not be the appropriate remedy."
The order does grant defense the defense to proffer alternative remedies.
The defense team submitted a Motion to Reconsider the order on Thursday.
Verrill is accused of first first-degree murder in the Jan. 27, 2017, deaths of Christine Sullivan, 48, of 979 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, and Jenna Pellegrini, 32, of Barrington. He faces life in prison without parole if found guilty.
Verrill remains held at the Carroll County House of Corrections.