A woman convicted of manslaughter for the 2002 killing of a Canadian tourist has been elected to the Bangor City Council in Maine, a place linked to Stephen King’s “IT.”
Angela Walker, who pled guilty along with her brother Benjamin Humphrey, received a seat on the council more than two decades after her conviction. The Bangor Daily News highlighted her election.
Walker, an independent, was one of three individuals elected to serve three-year terms on the council.
Her candidacy was backed by the progressive nonprofit Food and Medicine based in Maine.
In 2003, Walker was found guilty over the death of Derek Rogers, who was attacked following a confrontation where he allegedly used a slur against her. Reports state he was later found beaten and suffocated in sand.
Addressing her past, Walker remarked, “That’s my past. I don’t live there anymore. I’m a different person.” She had also faced charges of perjury, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence.
Currently, there are no restrictions in Bangor preventing individuals with criminal records from pursuing public office.
Bangor inspired the fictional town of Derry in King’s works, where he once lived in a renowned Victorian mansion, now not open to the public.
Online reactions have included criticism. Some users expressed their disapproval of electing an ex-convict to the council, questioning how such decisions reflect on American values.
In response to the backlash, Walker emphasized the potential for change, sharing, “I want people to understand that we can change.” She also mentioned her struggles with addiction and homelessness, highlighting her involvement in the community’s drug recovery initiatives.
