New Haven Man, Convicted In 2023 of Rape, Had Appeals Court Order New Trial, Convicted For Second Time: Court

NEW HAVEN, CT — In June 2023, then 59-year-old David Britto of New Haven was convicted of a 2018 rape.Three months later, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

At trial, Btitto represented himself.

Then, in 2025, the state Appellate Court reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new trial. The appeals court had ruled Britto "had not been adequately advised of the risks and disadvantages of self-representation in his first trial," prosecutors said.

Last week, after a new trial where he was represented by an attorney, a jury found Britto, now 61, guilty of first-degree sexual assault, first-degree unlawful restraint, and third-degree assault, according to New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr.

According to Doyle and evidence introduced at trial, Britto restrained the victim inside a vehicle, punched her in the head, and sexually assaulted her on July 19, 2018 in New Haven.

The case was investigated by the New Haven Police Department Special Victims Unit and was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa R. Holmes and Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle Hottin, who were assisted by Inspector Kevin Grenier.

The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office would like to extend its gratitude to the state Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services and Bode Laboratories for their assistance with the investigation.

“The victim in this matter deserves significant recognition for her exceptional bravery and resilience, having courageously testified in two separate trials,” State’s Attorney Doyle said.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16, in New Haven Superior Court