EH Man Gets Major Prison Time For 2008 Hartford Murder: Authorities

HARTFORD/EAST HARTFORD, CT — An East Hartford man has been sentenced to four decades behind bars for the 2008 fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Hartford resident in a gang dispute outside the XL Center.

Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced Tuesday State Superioiur Court Judge Nuala E. Droney Monday sentenced James Dexter Brown to 40 years in prison for the 2008 fatal shooting of Kenny Sullivan, 20, in Harford.

A Hartford Superior Court jury on March 17, found Brown, 33, of East Hartford, guilty of murder.

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 and found the victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

He was rushed to a local hospital and later died.

Following an investigation by the Hartford Police Department, the Division of Criminal Justice’s Cold Case Unit and federal authorities, investigators learned from witnesses that 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.

Griffin said 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 D. Krawczyk and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John F. Fahey, head of the Cold Case Unit.

“The resolution of this case is the result of countless hours of hard work by dedicated investigators and prosecutors who never give up their search for justice for the victims of unimaginable crimes,” Griffin said.

“The Cold Case Unit remains committed to these cases and will continue to work hard so the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable and their families are provided some measure of peace.”

For the full announcement, click on this link.