Milford Officer Placed On Leave In Connection With Dewitt Case

MILFORD, CT —The Milford Police Department placed an officer on leave and started an internal investigation to determine why there was a delay in getting an arrest warrant for Ewen Dewitt, who has since been charged with murdering his former partner Julie Minogue.

Dewitt killed Minogue on Dec. 6, according to police. Minogue in a separate restraining order application wrote that she feared for her life, according to Hearst Connecticut Media.

Minogue filed a complaint against Dewitt on Nov. 14 after he sent more than 200 text messages over the course of three days, said Chief Keith Mello in a statement. Dewitt was subject to a protective order that prohibited him from harassing Minogue.

Officer Knablin submitted an arrest warrant application on Nov. 18, which was reviewed by a supervisor.

"Both the supervisor and the officer believed that the arrest warrant application contained the requisite Probable Cause to support the charge that the text messages sent by Mr. Dewitt violated the modified protective order that was issued on January 15, 2021," Mello said.

Related:

• Dewitt Charged With Harassing Minogue In Weeks Leading Up To Death: PD
• Hundreds Attend Vigil For Julie Minogue
• GoFundMe Started For 3 Sons Of Julie Minogue, Milford Homicide Victim
• Milford Homicide Victim Worried She Would Be Killed: Court Record

The application was sent to the Ansonia/Milford State's Attorney's Office Nov. 21 when court reopened. An assistant state's attorney sent the application back to Knablin requesting additional information.

"As per policy, Officer Knablin had an obligation to gather that information requested by the Assistant State’s Attorney and resubmit the arrest warrant application as soon as possible," Mello said. "A formal Internal Affairs Investigation has been initiated regarding the timeliness of his response. Officer Knablin has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Internal Investigation into his actions."

The arrest warrant application was transferred to a Milford detective Dec. 9 after police consulted with the State's Attorney office. Dewitt, who has been in custody since Dec. 7, was charged Dec. 14 with violation of a protective order and second-degree harassment.

Department representatives are meeting with the state legislative delegation Friday to discuss a potential enhancement to the judicial GPS monitoring program for domestic violence offenders.