Waterville man accused of murdering colleague retracts confession

AUGUSTA, Maine – A 21-year-old Waterville man accused of killing his co-worker is retracting his earlier plea and now pleading not guilty.

At the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta, Spridal Hubiak pleaded guilty to a judge Tuesday to murdering 52-year-old Angela Bragg in late December of last year. Court documents obtained by NEWS CENTER Maine earlier this year detailed how Hubiak stabbed Bragg to death inside a Damon's Beverage in Waterville after locking the store's front doors 45 minutes before closing time.

However, a judge will not accept Hubiak's confession until he has undergone a competency evaluation to confirm that he fully understands his decision to change his confession and is doing so voluntarily.

“To be honest, we advised against this course of action just a few moments ago. But we have spoken to him about it in detail,” Hubiak's defense team told the judge.

At Tuesday's hearing, both the prosecution and the defense said they did not share the judge's concerns about Hubiak's sanity.

According to the prosecution, there is evidence that can be used in the trial regarding Hubiak's actions before and after Bragg's murder.

At Tuesday's hearing, prosecutors said notes found in Hubiak's cellphone indicate he planned the murder in advance. “In them, he talks about scouting, preparing, getting a mask, [and] how to camouflage his car,” among other things.

Bragg's family members say that while they understand the court's decision, they are still anxious to see justice done for their loved one.

“She was my best friend,” said Bragg's ex-husband Dave Bragg. “I just feel bad, my kids don't have a mom and I have to step in a little bit. My grandkids want their grandmother and she's not here.”

Hubiak is due to appear in court again on October 11.

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