Family Outburst Disrupts Middletown Homicide Arraignment: Report

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Police responded to an arraignment hearing at Middlesex Superior Court on Tuesday after the family of a homicide victim lashed out at the defendant and his family, according to the Middletown Press.

The incident happened during the arraignment hearing for Matthew O'Banner, who is accused of killing 25-year-old Tylon Hardy in a May 16 shooting in the area of Highlands Crescent and Stirling Court in Middletown.

O'Banner, 20, was taken into custody at a home in New Jersey earlier this month and extradited to Middletown. He was charged with murder, first-degree assault, carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit, unlawful discharge of a firearm, reckless endangerment and commission of an A, B, or C felony with a firearm.

The Middletown Press reported Hardy’s aunt, Wondtresia Hardy, shouted several times at O’Banner’s family during the hearing, saying “you failed as a mother.” The incident led to marshals escorting Hardy’s family and supporters out of the courthouse, according to the Press.

O’Banner continues to be held in lieu of a $2 million bond. The next court date is Sept. 7, according to state judicial records.

Read more about the arraignment hearing at the Middletown Press here.

See also: 3 More Charged In Fatal Shooting In Middletown: Police