17-year-old Deven Young of Frankfort appeared in court on Friday morning via Zoom from the Long Creek Youth Detention facility in South Portland and denied responsibility in the killing of 47-year-old Sunshine “Sunny” Stewart on a pond in Union just over two weeks ago.
Young’s court appearance confirmed online speculation that he was the suspect Maine State Police took into custody late Wednesday evening. He had been staying with family at the Mic Mac Cove Campground on Crawford Pond in Union where the victim was also a seasonal camper.
Young was a student at Hampden Academy. Those contacts of his The Maine Wire reached out to on Friday were hesitant to speak about him, often injecting distance in their relationship. One woman wrote to him on Facebook one week after the killing asking how he was doing.
“Good,” Young responded.
It has yet to be confirmed that Young suffers from cognitive or mental issues, but his demeanor on social media in flat and non-emotional. At least one disturbing post indicated a possible interest in sexual violence. Another depicted a mallet he had fashioned, and his profile photo shows him sitting defiantly with a rifle.
The state indicated it is seeking to try Young as an adult. His defense attorney sought to close the hearing but a Knox County judge denied that motion.
The Maine Wire reached out to the office of the Maine Attorney General for comment on how the state will proceed with charging but did not receive an immediate response, though editorial indicated a 2 p.m. deadline.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
