East Hartford Man Guilty In Fatal 2008 Hartford Shooting: State

HARTFORD, CT — An East Hartford man was found guilty of murder Friday in connection with a 2008 fatal gang-related shooting in Hartford.

Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said a Hartford Superior Court jury Friday found James Dexter Brown, 33, of East Hartford, guilty of murder.

The conviction stems from the 2008 fatal shooting of Kenny Sullivan, 20, in Hartford.

According to evidence at trial, on June 26, 2008, police responded to a report of a shooting in the area of Main Street and Trumbull Street in Hartford.

Griffin said police found the victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was rushed to a local hospital and later died, he said.

Following an investigation by the Hartford Police Department, the Division of Criminal Justice’s Cold Case Unit and federal authorities, investigators learned from witnesses before the shooting, there were verbal and physical altercations between two street gangs during a concert inside the XL Center.

Griffin said a large fight between the two groups also occurred outside after the concert ended.

Witnesses told investigators Brown fatally shot the victim. Police arrested Brown in connection with the victim's death on Dec. 14, 2018.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Krawczyk and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John F. Fahey, head of the Cold Case Unit.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 16 in Hartford Superior Court.

For the full announcement by the state Department of Justice, click on this link.