Prosecutors and the man accused of killing his parents and their two friends in Bowdoin last year have an agreed-upon plea that will be detailed in court on Monday, according to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
Joseph Eaton, 35, is facing four counts of murder for the killings of David Eaton, 66, and Cynthia Eaton, 62, and their friends, Robert Eger, 72, and Patricia Eger, 62, on April 17, 2023.
He is also facing one count for the aggravated attempted murder of Sean, Justin and Paige Halsey, who were driving on I-295 near Yarmouth when Eaton allegedly opened fire on them. All three suffered injuries.
The criminal division hearing schedule distributed by the AG’s office shows that prosecutors Bud Ellis and Leanne Robbin “have an agreed upon plea” but the details will not be made public until Monday’s hearing in Sagadahoc County, AG’s spokeswoman Danna Hayes said via email.
In December, Eaton withdrew a plea of “not criminally responsible” because of mental illness but maintained a plea of not guilty.
Eaton had recently been released from prison when police say he shot and killed his parents and their friends, then drove south on I-295 and started shooting at passing vehicles, according to a police affidavit.
Police say Eaton admitted to the killings and to shooting at a vehicle on the interstate.