Conn. man gets 15 years for 2010 slaying
HARTFORD, Conn.—A Bloomfield man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree manslaughter in a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve 2010.
The Hartford Courant reports (http://cour.at/Hrqxyx) that the family of 24-year-old Tyrell Shaw shouted at the defendant and the judge about the plea deal, and left court before the formal sentencing.
Shaw's mother, Rose Simmons, shouted "I just want to know, why?" Judge Joan Alexander told Simmons the lack of credible evidence could have led to an acquittal for 30-year-old Joshua Cupe.
His lawyer said Cupe acted in self-defense when he shot Shaw, and Cupe repeated that at his sentencing, saying Shaw "tried to kill me."
Two witnesses identified Cupe as the shooter, but prosecutors said they were not credible enough to face a jury.
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Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com
