Mansfield Man Convicted of Killing 6-Year-Old Daughter Denied New Trial

MANSFIELD, MA — A Mansfield man convicted of slitting the throat of his 6-year-old daughter will not receive a new trial.

Friday, the state's Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Kristopher Griffin is not entitled to a new trial. Griffin had argued that he was entitle to a new trial because the evidence at trial was insufficient as a matter of law to permit a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that he was criminally responsible at the time of the killing, his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel by admitting in his opening statement that the defendant's conduct was "not psychotic," the prosecutors made improper remarks during their opening statement and closing argument, and the judge's instruction regarding the consequences of a verdict of not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility created a substantial likelihood of a miscarriage of justice, according to the ruling.

"We affirm the defendant's convictions, and having reviewed the entire record of the case pursuant to our duty under G. L. c. 278, § 33E, we find no reason to exercise our authority to order a new trial or to reduce the verdict of murder in the first degree," the decision read.

Griffin broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and daughter Kaitlynn during the early hours of July 24, 2009. Upon gaining entry, Griffin slit his daughter's throat and left the house undetected. The attack would lead to Kaitlynn's death.

Following his arrest, Griffin told police that he was upset with his ex-girlfriend following a telephone call with her prior to the murder. He said God told him that the only way to protect the victim was to kill his ex-girlfriend. On the way to the house, he said he was told by God to kill the victim instead. He claimed that he didn't want to kill his daughter, but if he didn't commit the murder, any harm that befell her in the future would be on the defendant's conscience, the ruling said.

Griffin was found guilty of first-degree murder in Bristol County Superior Court in 2012. He is currently serving a life sentence for the murder.

Click here to read the full ruling.

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