**Benton Woman Indicted on Attempted Murder Charge Following Shooting Incident**
AUGUSTA — A Benton woman accused of shooting and injuring a man she was dating after he insulted her has been indicted on a charge of attempted murder.
Hailie A. Hotham, 21, allegedly shot Izeck Spaulding, 19, also of Benton. The incident occurred just after 3 a.m. on August 8, according to a news release from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office. Spaulding underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the neck following the shooting.
Hotham was initially charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, domestic violence aggravated assault, and domestic assault, according to the sheriff’s office.
In an affidavit filed by Deputy Chad Webster, Hotham told police that she and Spaulding had been on an alcohol and cocaine “bender” for several days leading up to the incident. The affidavit states Spaulding insulted Hotham and the two began arguing. Hotham attempted to contact some of Spaulding’s friends, including one who warned that Spaulding would become violent if anyone tried to remove him from the residence. The home on Unity Road in Benton is owned by Hotham.
Hotham and her younger sister left the house and called a friend, who had helped resolve a similar incident two days prior. The friend arrived and convinced Spaulding to leave. However, as Spaulding attempted to exit the home, police allege he continued to insult Hotham, and she shot him with a Glock 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Police secured the weapon at the scene.
Spaulding was first taken to Thayer Center for Health in Waterville, then transported by LifeFlight of Maine to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he underwent surgery. As of Thursday, an update on his condition was not available from the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting the case against Hotham.
The affidavit notes that Hotham helped render aid to Spaulding while they waited for an ambulance. She was arrested at the scene and reportedly told police she shot Spaulding and “should not have done it.”
Hotham was scheduled to be arraigned at Capital Judicial Center on Wednesday but did not attend due to being in rehab for treatment, according to her attorney Walter McKee. Her arraignment was rescheduled for December 8.
“As one might expect, there are a tremendous number of facts and circumstances that gave rise to what happened on Aug. 8th, all of which will come to light in due course,” McKee said after Wednesday’s court hearing.
On October 16, a Kennebec County grand jury indicted Hotham on an additional charge of attempted murder, a Class A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The indictment alleges Hotham “intentionally or knowingly attempted to cause the death of another, Izeck Spaulding, by shooting Izeck Spaulding in the chest.” However, Webster’s affidavit states Spaulding was struck in his left shoulder near his clavicle.
https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/11/06/benton-woman-indicted-on-attempted-murder-charge-in-shooting/
