Man Found Guilty In Killing Of Hamden Father, Son: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — A New Haven man has been found guilty in connection with the killing of a father and son in Hamden more than 35 years ago, according to officials.

Willie McFarland, 55, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of murder, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. announced Tuesday.

McFarland’s conviction in New Haven Superior Court stems from the murders of Fred Harris, 59, and his son, Greg Harris, 23, inside their Hamden home in August 1987, according to Doyle.

“According to evidence introduced at the trial, police found the bodies of Fred and Greg Harris in an upstairs bedroom on August 27, 1987,” officials wrote in a news release. “The men were bound and their throats were slashed. Evidence found at the crime scene linked McFarland to the murders.”

Hamden police arrested McFarland in November 2019.

The case was investigated by the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of New Haven Cold Case Unit, which consists of prosecutors and inspectors from the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office and detectives from the Greater New Haven area.

“The mission of the Cold Case Unit is to review unsolved homicide investigations and conduct further investigations into these crimes, including utilizing modern-day scientific methods,” the news release states. “The Hamden Police Department, the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit, the Division of Scientific Services within the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner contributed to this successful investigation and prosecution.”

McFarland is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 31 in New Haven Superior Court.

“In utilizing innovative investigative techniques, advances in forensic science, and the determination to hold perpetrators of horrendous crimes accountable, today’s jury verdict is the result of a 35-year quest by dedicated investigators and prosecutors who never gave up their search for justice for the victims of these horrendous crimes,” Doyle said.