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Judge rules experts can’t say who hired them in CT state trooper’s manslaughter trial

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Judge rules experts can’t say who hired them in CT state trooper’s manslaughter trial


The trial against Connecticut State Police trooper Brian North, who faces a manslaughter charge in the deadly shooting of Mubarak Soulemane in 2020, continued Monday with a ruling that will bar the defense from mentioning that two experts expected to testify Tuesday were initially consulted by the state when they gave opinions that the trooper’s actions were justified.

Inspector General Robert Devlin, Jr. argued that it would be “unfair” to associate the experts with the state at this point, as they were initially consulted by Middlesex State’s Attorney Michael Gailor before the Office of Inspector General was created in 2021, at which time Devlin took over all officer-involved shooting and in-custody death investigations.

“I disagree with that opinion and their conclusion,” Devlin argued, adding that who initially hired the experts is “just not a material fact.”

Following his investigation into the Jan. 15, 2020, shooting on Campbell Avenue in West Haven, Devlin concluded that North’s actions were not justified, going against the opinions of the experts hired by Gailor. North, 33, faces one count of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm.

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Monday marked the sixth day of the trial in the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District Courthouse and the second in which North’s attorney, Bridgeport-based Lawyer Frank Riccio, has presented a defense. Riccio called a Connecticut State Police instructor to the stand Monday and told Judge H. Gordon Hall that he made every effort to get his last two witnesses for Monday’s testimony but that their travel made it impossible.

Riccio is expected to rest his defense once the jury hears from two experts who previously said they believe North was justified when he fired seven shots at Soulemane, who was 19 when he led police in Norwalk on a pursuit after displaying a knife in an AT&T store and stealing a Hyundai Sonata from a Lyft driver. Norwalk officers called off their pursuit on Route 7 before state police began pursuing the Sonata on Interstate 95 upon being incorrectly told the driver was involved in a carjacking.

Following a high-speed chase that involved multiple collisions, the Sonata got off I-95 on Exit 43 in West Haven, where Soulemane struck a Chevrolet Trailblazer and was found unresponsive when he was partially boxed in by state police cruisers just after 5 p.m. State police troopers, including North, and an officer from West Haven surrounded the vehicle before the West Haven officer smashed the passenger side window.

Soulemane — whose family testified earlier in the trial that the teen suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and appeared to be undergoing a psychiatric episode — then woke up and began reaching for a serrated kitchen knife in his waistband. North, who was positioned at the driver’s side of the car with his gun drawn, testified Friday that the teen raised the knife and that he believed the West Haven officer had begun entering the vehicle, prompting him to fire his weapon.

CT state trooper takes stand in trial, defends fatal shooting of teen. It escalated to ‘lethal force’

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Speaking on the motion to suppress on Tuesday, Riccio argued that it’s always customary when experts are brought in to inquire about who contacted them and if they are being paid to testify.

“That’s standard operating procedure when we speak to any expert,” Riccio argued.

Mentioning that the experts were initially consulted by Gailor speaks to the issue of “credibility and bias” with expert witnesses and would illustrate that, if they had any bias in the matter, it likely would have been skewed toward the prosecutor who initially hired them and not the defense, Riccio added.

“The state of Connecticut hired them,” Riccio said. “Attorney Devlin is a representative of the state of Connecticut.”

“I had nothing to do with hiring these people,” Devlin said.

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“There’s a prejudicial aspect to this,” Devlin continued.

In hearing the motion, Hall said a number of things have happened since the experts were initially consulted, including the arrest of his client, and that ultimately it was the decision by the defense to retain them for testimony.

“I don’t see the relevance really of what happened before that,” Hall said.

“I think it’s completely relevant,” Riccio countered.

“I think the relevance is marginal at best,” Hall said, ruling in favor of the state.

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Riccio earlier in the day had called Connecticut State Police Trooper Craig Brezniak to the stand to testify about training he had given North. Brezniak has worked as an instructor with the police academy and serves as a coordinator with the Connecticut State Police Tactical Team — which includes troopers with specialized training who respond to potentially hostile situations.

Brezniak began training North for the team in November 2019, after he applied to join. Brezniak testified that firearm instruction was included in the training dealing specifically with, among other things, barriers.

Barriers like windows, doors and walls can affect the trajectory of a bullet, Brezniak testified, adding that tactical team members are generally trained to shoot a hole in barriers before believing that the bullet’s path will be uninterrupted.

During cross-examination, Devlin inquired as to whether state police conduct any firearm training involving one- or two-round drills. Brezniak said yes and was interrupted by Devlin when he attempted to elaborate.

“That’s a yes or no answer, sir,” said Devlin, who has criticized several aspects surrounding the response by police once they found Soulemane unresponsive, including North’s decision not only to fire but to discharge seven rounds.

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Brezniak later clarified that low-round drills are usually done for budgetary reasons in instances where the training is focused on something like drawing a weapon and does not require numerous rounds to be fired. Brezniak said he conducted drills with North that included up to 10 rounds being discharged.

The trial is expected to continue Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Riccio’s last two witnesses before he rests his defense.



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CT Man — Father Of 3 Young Kids — Killed In DC Plane Crash

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CT Man — Father Of 3 Young Kids — Killed In DC Plane Crash


SALEM, CT — Connecticut is mourning the death of Casey Crafton, of Salem, who was killed when an American Airlines passenger flight and a military helicopter crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night, according to a state official.

State Sen. Martha Marx announced on social media that Crafton was killed in the tragedy.

“The airline tragedy in Washington, D.C., last night has deeply impacted our Salem community. Casey Crafton—husband of Rachel and father to their three sons—was among the passengers on the American Airlines flight from Kansas that went down in the Potomac River. According to media reports and government sources, there are no survivors,” Marx wrote. “My heart goes out to the Crafton-Gadbois family during this unimaginable time. I ask our community to keep them in your prayers as they navigate this profound loss.”

The Salem CT Little League wrote “Our small town is heartbroken by a devastating tragedy involving one of our beloved Little League members. The Crafton family, deeply involved in all things Salem, has suffered an unimaginable loss. With heavy hearts, we share the news that Casey Crafton tragically passed away in the horrific airline crash in Washington DC. Please keep his family close to your hearts and in your prayers during this difficult time.”

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The community has created a Meal Train page for the family, and more than $23,000 has been raised as of Thursday night. (You can view the page here).

A total of 67 people died in the crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. More than 40 bodies have been removed from the water as of late Thursday afternoon, CNN reported.

The American Airlines passenger flight and a UH-60 Black Hawk, with a crew of three, collided about 8:48 p.m. Wednesday night in clear weather conditions.


Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that two former Russian figure skating stars from the 1990s who once worked at a Simsbury skating center and may have lived in the town were on board.

Both Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, Russian nationals who moved to Simsbury in the 1990s, are presumed dead after the crash.

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The husband-and-wife team were champion pairs skaters in the 1990s, competing in both the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

They failed to medal in the Olympics, but the couple did earn a bronze medal in the 1993 World Figure Skating Championships and won gold in the 1994 World Championships, the second-most prestigious competition behind the Olympics.

According to the Dec. 21, 2007 article on NewEngland.com, the couple turned professional in 1998 and, eventually, settled down in Simsbury to work at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in their new hometown.

Constructed in the mid-1990s, the ISCC put Simsbury on the map when 1994 Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul moved to Connecticut and trained there.

Patch editors Deb Belt and Michael Lemanski contributed to this story.

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Merrimack Gains Connecticut Class L State Finalist Julia Tejeda For 2025

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Merrimack Gains Connecticut Class L State Finalist Julia Tejeda For 2025


Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Versatile swimmer Julia Tejeda has decided to continue her swimming career at Division 1 Merrimack College in Massachusetts, starting in the fall of 2025. Currently a senior at Cheshire High School in Connecticut, Tejeda trains with the Cheshire YMCA Sea Dog Swim Club.

“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career next fall at Merrimack College! Thank you to all my friends, family, and coaches for all the support you have given me over the last 4 years! Go Warriors!”

Tejeda achieved several lifetime bests at the 2024 Connecticut Senior Champs (SCY) in March. She placed 6th in the 1650 free (17:51.98), and her 1000 split (10:46.50) remains her fastest 1000 free time. She placed 10th in the 200 back (2:08.04), 13th in both the 200 IM (2:11.99) and 400 IM (4:40.42), and set a best time in the 100 back (1:00.34) during the 400 medley relay. Tejeda also achieved a personal best in the 200 fly (2:13.50 in prelims), and finished 19th in finals (2:15.55).

Tejeda was a finalist at the 2024 CIAC Class L Championship (SCY) in November, placing 9th in the 200 free (1:58.14) and 6th in the 500 free (5:16.98). Her 200 free time was a personal best. In Connecticut, schools are categorized based on enrollment, with Class L representing the second-largest group, behind Class LL.

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Fast forward a week, and Tejeda competed at the CIAC State Open Championship (SCY), where she achieved a personal best in the 200 free (1:58.13), placing 20th, and a season best in the 500 free (5:15.52), placing 12th. The previous year at the meet, Tejeda set her lifetime best in the 500 free with a time of 5:13.64, finishing 11th.

Top SCY Times

  • 500 Free – 5:13.64
  • 1000 Free – 10:46.50
  • 1650 – 17:51.98
  • 200 back – 2:08.04
  • 200 IM – 2:11.99
  • 400 IM – 4:40.42

Merrimack placed 8th out of nine teams at the 2024 Northeast Conference Championships for women, matching their performance from the previous season. Tejeda could make a significant impact upon her arrival, as her fastest times in the 200 back, 200 IM, and 400 IM would have been the best for Merrimack last season. Her 200 back time would have qualified her for the ‘C’ final at last year’s NEC Championship,s as would her 200 IM, while her 400 IM time would have earned a spot in the ‘B’ final.

Additionally, Tejeda would have been the second-fastest on the team last season in the 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free, and 200 fly. The top distance swimmer last season was junior Neva Sa, who held times of 5:05.25 in the 500, 10:41.41 in the 1000, and 17:42.32 in the mile.

Tejeda’s older sister, Alexa, also swam for Merrimack from 2018 to 2022. Now, Tejeda will follow in her footsteps and join Abby Condon and Liz Vursta as part of the 2025 recruiting class. Vursta holds strong times in the 500 free (5:14.21) and 200 back (2:09.50) as well.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

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Lawmakers looking to reverse Connecticut's deadly traffic numbers

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Lawmakers looking to reverse Connecticut's deadly traffic numbers


State lawmakers introduced several proposals Wednesday to improve road safety as the rate of traffic-related deaths in Connecticut shows no signs of slowing down.

According to data from the University of Connecticut, 20 people have died in traffic crashes in Connecticut in 2025 through Jan. 19.

“We all need to come together here in Connecticut and make the decision that 350 people year dying on our roads is not OK,” said Transport Hartford Program Director Jay Stange, who attended Wendesday’s Transportation Committee hearing.

The Committee introduced several bills, including a proposal to lower the blood-alcohol-content (BAC) limit from .08 to .05.

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Utah is the only state in the country with a limit that low.

“We just don’t want people to get behind the wheel of a car after using drugs or alcohol,” said Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford), a committee co-chair.

The bill also looks to build upon a current state pilot program training police to use roadside blood tests to determine if a driver is under the influence of cannabis.

Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) said the state has a problem with impaired driving.

“It’s not just BAC, it’s about impairment and a culture of permissiveness, in my mind, that is really enhancing – increasing the danger on our roadways,” Hwang said.

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Such proposals have been met with opposition in the past, especially lowering the BAC limit. Some residents have said the bill goes too far and unfairly targets drivers who feel they’re not to impaired to drive.

Hwang agreed the process is about striking a balance.

Lawmakers are also looking at other measures, including a bill that would increase the penalties for drivers who don’t abide by the Move Over Law.

Drivers are required to change lanes or slow down whenever police, Department of Transportation, or other vehicles are stopped along the side of the road.

Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier and DOT worker Andrew DiDomenico were struck in killed in separate incidents last year.

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“So folks know that if there’s road work going on, that they should move over, that they should slow down,” Cohen said, adding the bill also calls for more public education.

Additionally, lawmakers are also talking with police departments about how to increase enforcement of traffic laws.

Stange supports the bills. He also said he wants the state to continue supporting DOT’s work redesigning roads in ways that force drivers to slow down.

“The reality is that you don’t drive at the speed that’s posted on the side of road, you drive the speed the road allows you to drive,” he said.

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