ECRWSS PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID
Permit #15 Williston,VT 05495 POSTAL CUSTOMER
MAY 23, 2019
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
WILLISTONOBSERVER.COM
Bourgoin found guilty of five murders By Jason Starr Observer staff
A unanimous jury found former Williston resident Steven Bourgoin guilty of five counts of second-degree murder Wednesday following a two-week trial and two days of deliberations in Burlington. Bourgoin, 38, was convicted in the deaths of five central Vermont teenagers resulting from a car crash two and a half years ago on Interstate 89. Bourgoin left his home in Williston the night of Oct. 8, 2016, drove Route 2 to the Exit 11 interchange, got on the highway heading south, then turned around and sped northbound in the southbound lane for 2 miles at roughly 80 mph. He struck a car carrying Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury, Janie Cozzi, 15 of Fayston; Liam Hale, 16 of Fayston; Mary Harris, 16, of Moretown; and Cyrus Zschau, 16, of Moretown. All five were killed. Bourgoin then allegedly stole a Williston Police car that had arrived on scene, driving the wrong way on the interstate again and causing another crash. Through his public defenders, Bourgoin attempted to convince jurors that he was insane at the time of the crash and therefore could not be held accountable for the deaths. The trial produced conflicting testimony about Bourgoin’s sanity. A Massachusetts-based psychiatrist the defense called to testify last week, David Rosemarin, told jurors that Bourgoin had “bipolar disorder with psychotic features.” Rosemarin based his diagnosis on a 2018 evaluation of Bourgoin. A Ver mont-based psych iat r ist that prosecutors called to testify Monday, Paul Cotton, disagreed with Rosemarin’s diagnosis. “He was not insane at the time of the alleged incident,” Cotton said. “He could have conformed to the law and appreciated the wrongfulness of his conduct.” Cotton evaluated Bourgoin in December of 2016 in the state prison in Swanton. He said that, at the time of the crash, Bourgoin was highly stressed by a deteriorating relationship with his former girlfriend, with whom he has a daughter. Bourgoin
Photo courtesy of Ryan Mercer/Burlington Free Press
Steven Bourgoin listens to testimony Monday during his trial on five counts of second-degree murder in Burlington.
had twice been charged with domestic assault over the course of their relationship, Cotton said. Cotton diagnosed Bourgoin with “acute stress disorder.” Bourgoin was admitted to the UVM Medical Center following the crash. Doctors who evaluated him there testified that
they found no evidence of mental disease or suicidal thoughts. Bourgoin’s attorneys said he was suffering from delusions about a government conspiracy at the time of the crash. “He (was) completely delusional and psychotic,” public defender Bob Katims told the jury. “He (could) not appreciate what he
was doing or control his behavior.” Bourgoin grew up in Massachusetts and spent time in Rutland after his parents separated, Cotton testified. He was back and forth between the Burlington area and Massachusetts before buying a condominium in Williston with his girlfriend. They see BOURGOIN page 2
Saturday, Aug. 24
Waterfront Park, Burlington
Celebrate Vermont craft beer, cider, wine, spirits, iced tea, coffee, soda, juice, shakes, smoothies & more! Live Music, Food Trucks, VT Vendors & more! • www.drinkvermont.net