BELFAST — A Lincolnville man who stood accused of causing the death of his one-time friend is facing up to 30 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter Feb. 14. 

Matthew W. Pendleton, 48, was convicted of causing the death of his one-time friend, Kevin Curit, 47, on Jan. 5, 2023. Curit was reportedly living with Pendleton at the time of the incident. 

The conviction came following a five day trial at Waldo County Judicial Center. 

Pendleton was initially charged with knowing or depraved indifference murder, though he was convicted of manslaughter. 

The altercation took place at Pendleton’s residence, with Curit’s autopsy revealing his cause of death of blunt force trauma and ligature strangulation. 

Under Maine law, a person is guilty of manslaughter in several instances, including if the person: 

1. Recklessly, or with criminal negligence, causes the death of another human being. Violation of this paragraph is a Class A crime:
2. Intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another human being under circumstances that do not constitute murder because the person causes the death while under the influence of extreme anger or extreme fear brought about by adequate provocation. Adequate provocation has the same meaning as in section 201, subsection 4. The fact that the person causes the death while under the influence of extreme anger or extreme fear brought about by adequate provocation constitutes a mitigating circumstance reducing murder to manslaughter and need not be proved in any prosecution initiated under this subsection. Violation of this paragraph is a Class A crime; or
3. Has direct and personal management or control of any employment, place of employment or other employee, and intentionally or knowingly violates any occupational safety or health standard of this State or the Federal Government, and that violation in fact causes the death of an employee and that death is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the violation. 

A sentencing date has not yet been set for Pendleton, however he will face up to 30 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com