Supporters Rally For Darien's Scott Hapgood In Anguilla Case

DARIEN, CT — An emotional Scott Hapgood on Monday thanked the more the 150 supporters who turned out to a press conference designed to pressure the Anguillan government to ensure Hapgood's safety when he returns to the island next month for the latest hearing in his manslaughter case.

The Darien resident was joined by his wife, Kallie, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson and other state and local leaders at the press conference, which was held in front of Darien Town Hall.

"This nightmare is my new reality," Hapgood told the crowd, describing how he has not been able to return to his banking career since the April altercation at the Malliouhana resort that left 27-year-old hotel worker Kenny Mitchel dead. (see the text below for Hapgood's full remarks)

Mitchel showed up unannounced to the Hapgood's hotel room, claiming a need to fix a sink, and then tried to rob Hapgood, which led to the altercation. Hapgood claims he only acted in self-defense to protect his two young daughters, who were in the room at the time.

Since the incident, a recently released toxicology report said Mitchel had a lethal amount of cocaine in his system, which is what killed him, not Hapgood's actions.

"The hard science will show what really happened," Hapgood said.

Monday's press conference had the feel of a rally on behalf of Hapgood, with dozens of residents and friends holding signs in support of the Darien native and father of three. Throughout the 25-minute event, the supporters applauded, and afterward many of them hugged Scott and Kallie and wished them well.

Hapgood is set to return to the Caribbean country — which is a British Overseas Territory — on Nov. 11, and Blumenthal and others stressed that the United Kingdom and Anguilla need to guarantee Hapgood's safety. He has received death threats since the incident, and tensions on the island are high as a result of the killing.

"This is every American's worst nightmare, attacked and then being subjected to criminal proceedings in a foreign country," Blumenthal said.

"We want fair and transparent proceedings," he said, adding that thus far, the court proceedings in Anguilla, for which Hapgood repeatedly has traveled to the country, "have been behind closed doors, and excluding Scott's legal team and State Department officials."

Blumenthal, fellow Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who represents lower Fairfield County, said they have monitored the case and talked to officials at the State Department on Hapgood's behalf.

Additionally, President Donald Trump also said he would look into it, after Kallie Hapgood appeared on the Fox News show "Fox & Friends" asking for his help.

Blumenthal said he has spoken to White House officials about the case, and while they all share the "common goal" of seeing Hapgood go free, they are not directly working together on the case.

Connecticut state Rep. Terrie Wood, who has known the Hapgood since he was a child, said he is a good man caught in a horrible situation.

"Scott is not a man who was looking for trouble, trouble came his way," she said.

Here is the text of Scott Hapgood's full remarks:

As incredibly difficult as the last six months have been, there are days like this when I am reminded how much support we have from friends, family, our community, and our elected officials.

Thank you Senator Blumenthal for your hard work – publicly and behind-the-scenes – supporting me and my family and me during this nightmare.

I’d also like to thank:

Congressman Jim Himes
Senator Chris Murphy
State Representative Terrie Wood
State Representative Matt Blumenthal
State Senator Carlo Leone
First Selectwoman Jamie Stevenson
State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff

We’d also like to thank White House Council for their attention to this matter.

And I’d like to personally thank this wonderful community including our kids’ friends, teachers and schools.

The support gives my family strength as we deal with this ordeal.

We are still in shock that a simple vacation, that we looked forward to for so long, turned into a nightmare.

All we wanted to do is vacation as a family.

This nightmare is my new reality.

I have not been allowed to return to work – where I have worked for over twenty years.

I have been disqualified from coaching my kids’ sports teams – which gave me a sense of purpose.

I go back and forth to Anguilla, in the face of significant dangers, to make sure the facts come out because the hard science shows what really happened.

My lawyers have made requests – which I repeat here – asking that the Anguillan Prosecution takes a fair and balanced review of the facts which point to the logic that the charges against me should be dismissed.

I’d like to thank everyone for coming and for your continued support.

Thank you.