In October 1927, James P. Kelley, or "Slayer Kelley" as he became known in the press, was convicted of the murder of Mrs. Lillian Grace Woodsum Casey and sentenced to life in prison.

Suffering from tuberculosis and pneumonia, Kelley petitioned the court to be moved to Maine State Prison for better medical care. They eventually transferred him to the Central Maine Sanatorium in Fairfield.

In July 1929, despite his poor health, Kelley escaped the Sanatorium. Police captured the fugitive the next day in East Deering, near the home of his victim's family. Authorities were patrolling that specific area based on previous threats he had made for revenge.