Felony charges against former Portland Police officer Brian Regan were dropped today, because his wife did not want to put herself or her children through the stress of a trial.

Regan, 39, was indicted in May on two felony counts of reckless conduct with a gun and criminal threatening with a gun. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of assault, criminal threatening and domestic violence assault. The charges stemmed from three altercations with his wife, Heidi Regan. Brian Regan was fired in May by Portland Police Chief Tim Burton, following an internal police investigation.

Regan did plead guilty this morning to one misdemeanor assault charge. But that charge will be dropped in nine months, if Regan obeys the conditions handed down by Justice Robert Crowley at Cumberland County Superior Court.

Regan must undergo evaluations for possible substance abuse and mental health problems, and then go through any recommended counseling. He also is not allowed to possess any illegal drugs, and will be subjected to random search and testing.

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Anne Berlind, said she could not proceed to trial without the cooperation of Heidi Regan.

Berlind said the Regans are getting divorced, and Heidi Regan intends to move out of the area. Heidi Regan suffers from Bell's palsy, a condition that includes facial paralysis and is exacerbated by stress, Berlind said. The prosecutor read a statement from Heidi Regan at this morning's hearing.

"A long, stressful trial would only make matters worse, and complicate my illness," Regan wrote. "I would like to have a peaceful life."

Michael Cunniff, Brian Regan's attorney, said his client maintains his innocence, but agreed to the deferred disposition in order to move on with his life. Regan has asked Portland City Manager Joseph Gray Jr. to reconsider his termination from the police department. If that request fails, Cunniff said, Regan will file for arbitration.