Lincoln County Courts

Wiscasset man pleads guilty to December standoff

Sat, 08/17/2019 - 8:30am

    Matthew Plummer, 36, of Wiscasset, pleaded guilty to two charges related to a domestic violence assault that led to an eight-hour standoff on Heritage Lane in Wiscasset on Dec. 14 and 15, 2018.

    The plea arrangement was part of a July 29 hearing. Plummer pleaded guilty to one charge of Domestic Violence Assault with priors, Class C, and Police Standoff, Class E. In exchange, the two more serious charges, Aggravated Assault Domestic Violence, and Criminal Threatening with priors, were dismissed.

    Plummer was placed on a GPS monitoring device after violating probation in July. According to the district attorney’s records, the goal was to keep Plummer on bail conditions until a long-term mental health bed becomes available. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is supervising his bail.

    According to court records, after Plummer was arrested he asked for a mental health assessment, which was conducted by Wellpath at the Department of Corrections in April. The psychiatrist said Plummer had schizoaffective disorder and poly substance dependence. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, schizoaffective disorder is characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression. In the doctor’s opinion, Plummer’s condition was stable as long as he was taking his medication and refrained from using substances. Wellpath said he demonstrated an ability to work in his own defense.

    No information was available yet on a sentencing hearing.

    According to the Sheriff's Department, on Dec. 14, Plummer strangled a woman and threatened her with a knife. She fled his apartment and spoke to police on the scene. Due to Plummer’s extensive criminal background, police chose to evacuate the building and bring in tactical and negotiation teams. Plummer fled his apartment after tear gas was deployed.