Connect with us

Connecticut

Connecticut man gets 33 years in prison for stray-bullet killing of Olympian's mother

Published

on

Connecticut man gets 33 years in prison for stray-bullet killing of Olympian's mother


WATERBURY, Conn. — A Connecticut man was sentenced to 33 years in prison on Tuesday for the stray-bullet killing of a Puerto Rican Olympic athlete’s mother.

Jasper Greene, 23, of New Haven, was one of three men charged in the death of Mabel Martinez Antongiorgi on April 9, 2022. The 56-year-old woman was sewing in her home in Waterbury, about 30 miles southwest of Hartford, when a bullet flew through a wall and hit her in the head.

Martinez Antongiorgi’s daughter, Yarimar Mercado Martinez, competed for the family’s native Puerto Rico in rifle shooting at the Olympics in 2016, 2021 and 2024. She was in Brazil for another competition when her mother was killed.

Greene pleaded guilty to murder in February. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment after Tuesday’s sentencing in Waterbury Superior Court.

Advertisement

According to court testimony, the fatal shooting stemmed from a dispute that one of the suspects, Franklin Robinson, had with a man who said hello to his girlfriend. Robinson, Greene and another man shot up a car parked on Martinez Antongiorgi’s street, thinking the man was inside it. A bullet went into Martinez Antongiorgi’s home. Another bystander was wounded but survived.

A jury convicted Robinson of murder and other charges in 2023 and he was later sentenced to 90 years in prison.

The third suspect, Levi Brock, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case, including murder, and awaits trial.

At the time of her mother’s death, Mercado Martinez lamented in social media posts that she “couldn’t even say goodbye.”

“Why you? Why this way?” she wrote. “You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did.”

Advertisement

Martinez Antongiorgi and her husband of over 30 years, John Luis Mercado, moved to Waterbury from Puerto Rico a few years after the U.S. territory endured 2017’s devastating Hurricane Maria. At the time of her death, they had set a date to renew their wedding vows, their daughter wrote at the time.



Source link

Connecticut

Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies

Published

on

Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies


NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Connecticut and the city of New Haven, arguing their “sanctuary” policies illegally interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets Connecticut’s “Trust Act” and local rules that limit cooperation with federal authorities.

Named in the suit are Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

Federal officials claim these policies violate the U.S. Constitution and allow “dangerous criminals” to be released into the community instead of being handed over to federal agents.

Advertisement

“This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.

The move is part of a broader federal crackdown on sanctuary cities, with similar legal actions recently filed against Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Connecticut

Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic

Published

on

Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Lawmakers put aside politics on Monday for a good cause, going head-to-head on the field.

Democrats took on Republicans in the Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. All ticket sales go towards charity, with this year’s recipient being United Way of Connecticut.

The Democrats won for the second year in a row, the Republicans had a three-year win streak previously.

“It’s great, especially because we’re coming into the real heat of the legislative session, so it’s a lot of fun to be out here,” State Rep. Jason Doucette (D) said. “We have a fun time with our friends across the aisle.”

Advertisement

“United Way is a great organization, a statewide organization, and all of our local United Ways,” Former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R) said. “Especially in this day and age, people need so much help just for their everyday activities and keeping their families going, so we’re just really proud to have them be our charity this year.”

Lawmakers on both sides encouraged Connecticut residents to support their local United Way organization however they can.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Connecticut

This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability

Published

on

This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability


Livability released its annual list of small to mid-sized cities throughout the nation where residents can “truly thrive,” according to its website. Livability analyzed more than 100 data points in eight essential categories to measure a city’s overall health and “fun factor.”

The Fairfield County city was named to the list for being “home to a charming downtown, excellent schools, an arts community” and its proximity to New York City.

Danbury ranked high for its health, safety and amenities such as dining variety and access to parks and museums. Livability highlighted places in the city such as Danbury Museum, Railway Museum, Danbury Music Centre, Ives Concert Park, The Palace Danbury, Aldrich Museum, Danbury Ice Arena, Thrillz Park, Tarrywile Park and the Danbury Fair Mall.

Some of Livability’s top reasons to move to Danbury include the city being a “commuter’s dream,” as it is 50 miles from New York City and an hour from Hartford. The website also stated that Danbury is “affordable” compared to other Connecticut cities, with a median home value of $417,303, an average household income of $91,100 and median monthly rent of $1,679.

Advertisement

Livability also described Danbury as a “regional powerhouse for retail and health care” and stated that it was “one of the most diverse cities in the country” for its culinary and cultural scenes.

Danbury previously was named to Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” list in 2024 and 2025.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending