In the small town of Cushing, Maine, Richard L. Mills Jr., a 48-year-old Caucasian male, met an untimely and violent end on September 27, 2012. A man with a deep love for the outdoors, he was known for his passion for hunting and fishing, and took great pride in the home he had built for himself, a place where he could be close to the wildlife he cherished.
He was a father, son, and brother, remembered by his family as a giving and caring individual.
The tranquility of his life was shattered when he was found dead at his home. An investigation revealed that he had been killed by gunfire. The subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of a suspect, Andrew J. Kierstead, a 41-year-old man from Tenants Harbor. Kierstead was charged with the murder of his friend, Richard Mills.
During the investigation and subsequent trial, a motive for the killing came to light. Kierstead confessed to police that Mills had been his source for illegal drugs for many years. He claimed that a dispute over a drug debt led to the fatal encounter. According to Kierstead's account, Mills had recently provided him with pills on credit and then refused to supply him with more until the debt was paid. On the day of the murder, Kierstead went to Mills' home and shot him multiple times with a 12-gauge shotgun. An autopsy confirmed that Mills had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Kierstead's defense attorney attempted to have his confession suppressed, arguing that he was intoxicated at the time, but this was rejected by the court.
