Man Convicted of Killing Wife Seeks New Trial

Lawyers for a Maine man convicted of killing his wife say in a petition for post-conviction review that their client deserves a new trial because of ineffective defense at his original trial.

Brian Nichols, of Turner, was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2012 for fatally shooting Jane Tetreault in their home in May 2010.

The Sun Journal reports that in his petition, the 49-year-old Nichols says he suffered from "severe mental and emotional problems" and his trial attorney should have pursued an insanity defense.

He also says the killing wasn't premeditated and he was pressured into pleading guilty.

Prosecutors say in their response that Nichols underwent a psychiatric review.

Nichols told authorities he killed his wife because he suspected her of having an affair, which proved unfounded.