Judges Refuses To Reduce 85-Year Sentence For New London Killer

NEW LONDON, CT — A judge Monday rejected a request from Gregory Pierre to reduce his sentence for a 1998 killing of an Essex man, according to The Day of New London.

Pierre was sentenced in 2001 to 85 years in prison for the crime.

New London Superior Court Judge John M. Newson rejected Pierre's bid to reduce his sentence, saying that the crime stood out for its “level of gratuitous violence.”

Read the full story in The Day.

Pierre was convicted in a 2001 trial of felony murder, first-degree manslaughter, kidnapping, and robbery in the killing of James Connor, 33, of Essex.

Connor, who was attempting to buy crack-cocaine, was robbed and beaten at Pierre's apartment in 1998 by Pierre and two other men.