Trial Of Murder Suspect Who Evaded Police For Two Months Delayed

The murder trial of a man who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend and then led police on a two-month manhunt has been postponed.

Robert Burton fled from police after the body of Stephanie Ginn Gebo was found in her Parkman home. The couple had lived together at the residence until shortly before the 37-year-old was found shot to death. Burton has an extensive criminal history, including kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon convictions, so police immediately considered him a suspect.

For two months, the man who'd spent his whole life exploring the woods around the Parkman area, used his familiar surroundings to hide from police. State Police, Sheriff's departments, local police, game wardens, fire rangers, and finally the FBI searched the area, as the local residents were warned to keep their doors locked, even when they were home or in their cars. In all that time, Burton was only spotted twice.

Finally, he walked into the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Office on August 11th and turned himself in. He told authorities he was afraid of getting shot by all the police in the woods.

Jury selection in Burton's murder trial was set to begin on Monday, but WABI-TV reports that he's asked for a change of lawyer. His former attorney, Jeffery Toothaker told TV-5 that the request could delay the trial for up to a year. No new court date has been set.