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By BETTY ADAMS
Staff Writer 08/29/2008

AUGUSTA — A second man has been indicted in connection with a Pittston home invasion May 27 in which a father and daughter were severely injured by a machete-wielding attacker.

Daniel L. Fortune, 20, of Augusta, faces four counts of aggravated attempted murder, one count of attempted murder and other charges in the attacks on William and Nicole Guerrette in their Pittston home.

He previously had been named as a “potential suspect” but was not officially charged in that early-morning home invasion until Thursday.

“My office and investigators were in complete agreement that it was important to collect and analyze all evidence pertaining to Fortune’s involvement before going to the grand jury,” Kennebec County District Attorney Evert Fowle said. “We would have brought charges against him sooner if we had any indication he would get out of jail.”
Fortune has been held in Kennebec County jail since May 28 on $11,000 cash bail on charges connected to a Nov. 17, 2007, theft of more than $111,000 from the Guerrette home and a subsequent charge of failure to appear in court.

The theft followed an unauthorized party at the Guerrette home, hosted by Ryan Guerrette while his parents were away. Fortune was one of the attendees.
On Thursday, Fortune was indicted on eight counts:

• four counts of attempted aggravated murder, two of which say the attacks on the two Guerrettes were premeditated; two others allege “extreme cruelty”;

• one count of attempted murder, in which three other Guerrette family members are named as victims; and

• one count each of robbery, burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery.

The aggravated attempted murder charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
In an interview with a reporter in late May, Fortune denied any connection to the attacks.

Fortune’s roommate and foster brother, Leo R. Hylton, 18, was indicted in June on identical charges in the home invasion.
Hylton, who is being held in Cumberland County jail, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The injured Guerrettes suffered wounds to the head and arms and have undergone reconstructive surgery. Both have been released from the hospital and are undergoing rehabilitation and therapy.

William Guerrette, 48, a former legislator, lost a finger in the attack and now wears a black eye patch over one eye and a cast on one arm. Both his arms had multiple fractures.
His daughter, Nicole Guerrette, now 11, wore a helmet after being discharged from the hospital to protect her skull from further injury.

Authorities have released few details of the attack, and court documents are sealed.
Justice Nancy Mills in Kennebec County Superior Court earlier lifted the impoundment order to allow the state to share discovery materials with Hylton’s attorney.

Fortune, a former star athlete at Gardiner Area High School, will be arraigned on the new charges in Kennebec County Superior Court at 10 a.m. Sept. 23.

Fortune’s attorney, Pamela Ames, said Thursday she anticipates her client will plead not guilty to all charges.

“It will assist me in advising Mr. Fortune now that he has been indicted,” Ames said. “Now I am entitled to discovery materials.

The district attorney has not given me any forensic materials, police reports or any information whatsoever about this incident because he was not indicted. He had no idea what evidence is against him other than what we see in the newspaper.

“Now at least I can request discovery and have a docket number, so I am entitled to have what’s been in the state’s possession for months.”

Ames said Fortune has not spoken to law-enforcement officials since he was arrested.

Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com

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