Murder defendant denies assuming victim’s identity

William Morse on the first day of his trial at the Hancock County Superior Court in Ellsworth on Wednesday, April 8. Morse is charged with killing Trenton resident Richard Bellittieri. Ellsworth resident Pauline Buie went to police in November 2012 to report that her friend, Richard “Rick” Bellittieri, seemed to be missing, but his whereabouts were unknown until police found his body July 28 on land he owned in Trenton.