SUSPECT IN OFFICER-STABBING ARRAIGNED
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A woman accused of critically injuring a veteran Hartford police officer by stabbing her in the neck several times has been ordered held on $2 million bail on attempted murder and other charges. Chevoughn Augustin was arraigned Friday in Hartford Superior Court, where dozens of officers gathered outside to show their support for Officer Jill Kidik. Kidik is a 12-year veteran of the force who was once honored for saving a baby’s life. She is in stable, but critical, condition at Hartford Hospital after hours of surgery. Police say Kidik responded Thursday to an apartment tenant disturbance where Augustin stabbed her repeatedly. The 39-year-old Augustin’s case is set to return to court on June 5. Her public defender argued for lower bail during Friday’s brief court appearance.
GUILTY PLEA IN STERLING TEEN’S DEATH
DANIELSON, Conn. (AP) – A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to stabbing and beating a Sterling teen to death in 2016. Kevin Weismore of Sterling pleaded guilty in Danielson Superior Court on Friday to one count each of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 18-year-old Todd Allen. Weismore faces up to 40 years in prison. He will be sentenced on August 3. His lawyer said Weismore can argue for the minimum sentence allowed under law – 25 years. Investigators said Weismore lured Allen to a bicycle path in Sterling with an offer to sell him marijuana, but hoped instead to steal $500 from Allen. Investigators said Weismore stabbed Allen repeatedly, slammed his head with a rock and dragged the body out of sight.
FATHER OF NEGLECTED CHILDREN SENTENCED
The father accused of severely neglecting his children in a Danielson apartment will serve eight years in prison. 25-year old Nicolas Emory will also serve seven years of special parole. Emory, along with his two brothers, are now serving time for possessing child pornography in their former Broad Street residence. Nicolas Emory, though, is also convicted of leaving his children in a severe case of malnutrition and neglect. The children’s mother, Donna Rodeheffer, is expected to be sentenced to as much as 30 years behind bars June 29th. The children’s grandmother. Martha Kelly, is awaiting trial.
DEMOCRATS GATHER IN HARTFORD
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Delegates are gathering for the first day of the Connecticut Democratic Party’s political convention. They’re expected to bid farewell Friday night to two-term Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who are not seeking re-election. They’re also expected to endorse Sen. Chris Murphy, a rising star in the national party, for a second term. Much of the drama is expected Saturday, when candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, attorney general and comptroller will be endorsed. With various incumbents not seeking re-election, there are multiple candidates for some seats, creating a strong possibility for primaries. Supporters for Eva Bermudez Zimmerman, a union negotiator from Sandy Hook, are rallying outside the Hartford Convention Center. She’s expected to challenge former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz for the lieutenant governor endorsement.
MURPHY: NRA-BACKED CONGRESSMEN WILL BE VOTED OUT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy is predicting members of Congress with top ratings from the National Rifle Association will be voted out of office this year, as frustration mounts over mass shootings. The Democrat was reacting Friday to the mass shooting at a Texas high school, where 10 people were killed and 10 injured. Murphy is expected to receive the state endorsement from Connecticut Democrats on Friday night for a second six-year term. Murphy says he understands “people are frustrated” that Congress hasn’t passed “a meaningful change in our gun laws at the federal level” since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. But he says a political movement is being built and it will eventually be stronger than the gun lobby, adding that the 2018 election is crucial.
PARCEL J PLANS APPROVED
New London’s Planning and Zoning Commission has approved plans for a proposed 98-unit apartment complex on what is known as Parcel J, at the corner of Bank and Howard Streets. The development includes shared parking with the adjacent Shaw’s Cove office complex. Pennsylvania-based A-R Building is doing the construction. It recently completed a 104-unit apartment complex earlier this year on Mansfield Road in the city, and has broken ground on a 132-unit facility in Groton.
LEDYARD BUDGET VOTE ON TAP
Ledyard voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a proposed 57-million dollar town budget for the new fiscal year.Spending goes up 3-point-8 percent over the current budget, and would raise taxes by 1-point-75 mills. Capital improvement projects, as well as payments on debt obligations for the town’s new police station, and school building projects account for the increases. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM.
