Connecticut

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

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2024

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.

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’

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.

“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.

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.

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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Connecticut

A Character-Rich Family Home in Connecticut That Bridges Past and Present

Published

9 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

A Character-Rich Family Home in Connecticut That Bridges Past and Present

When a house has been loved for generations, its walls tend to hold stories. In the case of one family residence in Darien, Connecticut, that sentiment was taken quite literally. On the casement between the living room and kitchen are ticks that denote decades of growth, a quiet record of childhoods unfolding in real time. Several of those measurements belong to the home’s newest steward—the original owners’ daughter—who was ready to put her own mark on the property.

Eager to see what she could make of the 1930s structure, she and her husband tapped British-born designer Becca Casey of Connecticut-based Becca Interiors to breathe new life—and old soul—into the interior. For Casey, being entrusted with that kind of emotional patina was a privilege she didn’t take lightly. “The greatest challenge was ensuring that the new extension had synergy with the original house while bringing together the couple’s different tastes and honoring the home’s history,” Casey says of the 2,400-square-foot space.

There was a strong desire to preserve the home’s character and the memories it holds.

That delicate balance shows up everywhere, from tailored silhouettes and clean lines for him to pattern and color for her. Nowhere is that nuance more evident than in the property’s oldest room, a long, beam-lined living space that once sat largely unused. Casey swathed it in an atmospheric mural, transforming it into a multi-zone haven centered on the fireplace, with moments of repose throughout where the family can gather to play a game or enjoy a book.

Around the home, Casey’s eye for nuance is unmistakable. She wields color, pattern, and shape with equal aplomb, expertly marrying form with function in a way that’s both timeless and fresh. A hidden television disappears behind drapery-lined cabinetry, the inner skeleton of an armchair is displayed like a work of art, a vintage dining table reveals a plaque from the husband’s hometown (a serendipitous discovery that made the piece instantly meaningful). In the end, reviving the dwelling wasn’t about reinvention for Casey—it was about the possibility that a new chapter can bring. The result is a space that, according to Casey, feels “quietly refined and effortlessly lived-in”—an elegant meeting point between memory and modern family life.

FAST FACTS:

Designer: Becca Casey, Becca Interiors

Location: Darien, Connecticut

The Space: A 1930s colonial with six bedrooms, across 2,400 square feet.

LIVING ROOM

Bare windows and a transportive wallpaper nod to the pastoral landscape.

Kate S Jordan

Chandelier: Lostine. Rug: Stanton. Wallpaper: House of Hackney. Coffee table: Jefferson West. Rug: Stanton Carpet.

The living room is the oldest space in the house, so Casey wanted to honor its bones while streamlining the layout for modern functionality. Custom Dmitriy & Co. sofas—linen on the top, patterned French mattress tufting at the base—typify the union between “his” and “her” tastes.

Cozy sitting area with an armchair and footrest next to a window.

Kate S Jordan

Sconce: Woven Shop. Lamp: Visual Comfort & Co. Chair: custom.

Dining area with a round table and wooden chairs.

Kate S Jordan

Table: custom, Becca Interiors. Chairs: Pottery Barn.

A traditional English roll armchair was tucked into a corner at the request of the husband, whose wish list included a spot to read. Aiming for a “layered floor plan,” with distinct areas for the family’s many needs, Casey added a game table as a visual anchor with a direct sight line to the main entryway of the home.

DEN

An original stone fireplace anchors the family-ready space.

Kate S Jordan

Pendant: Woka. Coffee table: LF Collection. Sconce: Hector Finch.

Cozy living room featuring a stone fireplace and vintage decor.

Kate S Jordan

Coffee table: LF Collection. Rug: Woodard Weave. Chik blinds: Joss Graham.

Drenched in French Gray paint by Farrow & Ball and grounded by the original stone fireplace, the den is carefully choreographed to support togetherness, with a custom sectional and hidden TV.

DINING ROOM

The sun-drenched space looks out to the backyard pond.

Kate S Jordan

Paint: School House White, Farrow & Ball. Chairs: Maison Louis Drucker. Table: antique. Tablecloths: Zara Home, Cabana Home. Pedants: Lightology.

Part of the new addition, the serene dining room is flooded with light, thanks to expansive floor to (almost) ceiling windows. Layered textiles keep the antique table—a happy find, originally made in the husband’s hometown—geared toward casual meals.

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Salvaged beams mimic the look of the originals in the living room.

Kate S Jordan

Paint: Shaded White, Farrow & Ball. Rug: Lulu and Georgia. Bedding: The Company Store. Dresser: English Farmhouse Furniture.

Inspired by Belgian interiors, the elevated placement of the fireplace isn’t just a design flex—it’s an experiential choice that puts the flames right at eye level when lounging in bed. Beside it, two vintage English armchairs stun with their exposed interior, a Becca Interiors signature touch.

PRIMARY BATH

Natural materials were chosen for their ability to patina over time.

Kate S Jordan

Mirror: Rejuvenation. Floor tile: Arto. Wall paint: Slipper Statin, Farrow & Ball. Sconces: O’lampia.

In the primary bathroom, wellness comes through atmosphere rather than gadgets. A Drummonds soaking tub is positioned for prime pond views, with a gray-green base (Drop Cloth, Farrow & Ball) that reinforces the room’s soothing palette.

WORKSTATION

Smart features make family management a cinch.

Kate S Jordan

Roman shade: Hunter Douglas. Desk paint: Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Chair: Soho Home. Rug: Merribrook Collection. Flushmount: RW Guild.

To make the most of a hall nook, Casey crafted a compact desk where the wife, a teacher, can grade papers. Labeled drawers store art supplies, while a floor-to-ceiling cabinet (at side) acts as a hub for deliveries.

About the Designer

Becca Casey is the Principal Director and founder of Becca Interiors. Raised in the countryside of Southwest England, her earliest influences were rooted in history, nature, and the quiet beauty of rural life. These foundations continue to shape her design philosophy today, one that blends heritage with modern sensibility while honoring craftsmanship and the beauty of daily life at home.

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Connecticut

Hartford community grieves men killed in police shootings

Published

21 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Hartford community grieves men killed in police shootings

The Hartford community is grappling with two police shootings that happened within eight days of each other. Both started off as mental health calls about someone in distress.

People came together to remember one of the men killed at a vigil on Wednesday evening.

With hands joined, a prayer for peace and comfort was spoken for the family of Everard Walker. He was having a mental health crisis when a family member called 211 on Feb.19.

Two mental health professionals from the state-operated Capitol Regional Mental Health Center requested Hartford police come with them to Walker’s apartment on Capitol Avenue.

A scuffle ensued, and police said it looked like Walker was going to stab an officer. The brief fight ended with an officer shooting and killing Walker.

The family is planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

“All I will have now is a tombstone and the voicemails he left on my phone that I listen over and over again at night just so I can fall asleep,” Menan Walker, one of Walker’s daughters, said.

City councilman Josh Michtom (WF) is asking whether police could have acted differently.

“To me, the really concerning thing is why the police were there at all, why they went into that apartment in the way that they did, in the numbers that they did,” he said.

The president of Hartford’s police union, James Rutkauski, asked the community to hold their judgment and wait for a full investigation by the Inspector General’s office to be completed.

A different tone was taken in a statement released about another police shooting on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27.

Rutkauski said the union fully supports the officer who fired at 55-year-old Steven Jones, who was holding a knife during a mental health crisis.

In part, the union’s statement says that Jones “deliberately advanced on the officer in a manner that created an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury. This was a 100% justified use of deadly force.”

The Inspector General’s office will determine if the officer was justified following an investigation.

The officer who shot Jones was the fourth to arrive on the scene. Three others tried to get him to drop the knife, even using a taser, before the shooting.

“It just feels like beyond the conduct of any one officer, we have this problem, which is that we send cops for every problem,” Michtom said. “I don’t know how you can de-escalate at the point of a gun.”

Jones died from his injuries on Tuesday.

The union’s statement went on to say that officers should not be society’s default for mental health professionals. The statement said in part, “We ask for renewed commitment from our legislators to remove police from being the vanguard of what should be a mental health professional response.”

The officers involved in both shootings are on administrative leave.

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Connecticut

Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Connecticut Launches New Era for Community Hospital Care – UConn Today

Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and attended by Governor Ned Lamont, state legislators, Waterbury officials, and community leaders, UConn Health celebrated the acquisition of Waterbury Hospital which as of today is now the UConn Health Waterbury Hospital.

“This is a defining moment for healthcare in Connecticut,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health Community Network. “We now have the opportunity to take the award -winning academic quality and service of UConn Health and share it with the wonderful employees, doctors and community of Waterbury.”

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont described the initiative as a forward-looking investment in the future of healthcare access across Connecticut.

“Connecticut is leading with innovation,” said Connecticut Governor Lamont. “The UConn Health Community Network reflects a proactive approach to strengthening community-based care by connecting it directly to the capabilities of our state’s public academic medical center. What begins in Waterbury today, represents a new model designed to expand opportunity, access, and excellence for communities statewide.”

In addition to UConn Health Waterbury Hospital, the Network includes UConn Health Community Network Medical Group and UConn Health Waterbury Health at Home. The model preserves each member’s local identity and will grow thoughtfully over time to improve quality, expand access, and reduce the total cost of care.

“This reflects a bold step forward in how we think about healthcare in Connecticut,” said John Driscoll, Chair of the UConn Health Board of Directors. “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new approach to community-based care. We move forward with clarity of purpose and shared commitment to serve our communities better together.”

Comptroller Sean Scanlon highlighted the significance of the model for the long-term evolution of healthcare delivery in Connecticut.

“This partnership represents thoughtful leadership at a pivotal time for healthcare,” said Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “By aligning community hospitals with academic medicine, Connecticut is building a modern framework that positions our healthcare system to meet the needs of patients today and into the future.”

“Hosting this celebration on our campus is deeply meaningful for our staff, physicians and the families we serve,” said Deborah Weymouth, President of UConn Health Waterbury Hospital. “Waterbury’s legacy of care continues, and we are tremendously proud to have a strong partner who is deeply committed to our community and help lead this next chapter for healthcare.”

Welcome UConn Health Waterbury Hospital!

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