the verdict is in!

10/07/2025

(Hartford, CT) - Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced today that the Honorable Nuala E. Droney on October 3, 2025, found Jose Cajigas, age 35, of Hartford, guilty of Attempted Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 53a-49(a)(2) and 53a-54a, Assault on Public Safety Personnel, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167c and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217(a)(1).

According to evidence introduced during the court trial, a Hartford police officer on patrol on Main Street on October 26, 2021, observed a man, later identified as Jose Cajigas, walking with an orange umbrella toward her parked police cruiser. Cajigas paced in front of the vehicle and then approached the driver's side of the cruiser. The officer notified dispatch and requested backup before verbally engaging with Cajigas. While trying to determine if he needed medical assistance, the officer stated that Cajigas moved away from her vehicle for a few seconds before reengaging in conversation. When the officer asked Cajigas if he had been drinking, there was a sudden change in his demeanor, and he replied that he was intoxicated and might need assistance. The officer, still seated in her vehicle, instructed Cajigas to sit on the hood of her vehicle at which time she attempted to utilize her police radio to request an ambulance. As the officer motioned to utilize the radio, the officer heard a "bang" followed by her cruiser's operator's side door window shattering. The officer, startled by the shattered glass, and believing Cajigas threw an item at her, immediately drove away and alerted dispatch and responding officers about what had just occurred. The officer immediately circled back to the incident location where she observed Cajigas fleeing toward a cemetery. Officers arrived at the cemetery, established a perimeter, and within minutes, had located and detained Cajigas without incident. In the immediate vicinity of where Cajigas was apprehended, officers found the orange umbrella and a .22 caliber Jennings firearm. The firearm remained loaded and was secured on scene for investigators to retrieve. During the canvass of the parking lot on Main Street where the cruiser had been parked, one .22 caliber spent shell casing was located. Upon inspection of the officer's damaged vehicle, it was determined that the officer had been fired upon while seated inside her vehicle. The window had been shattered, and a bullet projectile, consistent with a small caliber firearm, was located inside of the vehicle.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Brett J. Salafia, Inspectors Joseph Buyak and Emory Hightower, and Paralegal Specialists Kelly Randall and Lakisha Malave.

State’s Attorney Walcott stated that she is “appreciative of the hard work the prosecution team put into the case, is thankful for the full support of the process by the Hartford Police Department, including command staff, and is thankful that this horrific situation was thwarted by the quick action of the officer.” She wants to remind the public of the danger law enforcement officers place themselves in every day “just by virtue of the oath they took to protect and serve our community. A sincere thank you goes out to all sworn law enforcement officers on behalf of the entire Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2026, in Hartford Superior Court.

10/07/2025

(Middletown, CT) – Michael A. Gailor, State’s Attorney for the Middlesex Judicial District, announced that a jury in Middletown Superior Court today found William Bigaud, Jr., age 42, of Cromwell, guilty of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, Home Invasion, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-100aa(a)(1) & (a)(2), Burglary in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-101(a)(1) and (a)(2), and Risk of Injury to a Child, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(1). The Honorable Laura F. Baldini presided over the trial.

Evidence at trial showed the defendant fatally stabbed the mother of his children on June 8, 2020, and then fled the state. The defendant was apprehended on June 10, 2020, after a high-speed chase by authorities in LaGrange, Georgia.

The case was investigated by the Middletown Police Department. Assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police, the authorities in LaGrange and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Steven M. Lesko and State's Attorney Gailor, with the assistance of Inspector Joseph Flynn.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2025 in the Middlesex Superior Court.

10/07/2025

(Torrington, CT) – Litchfield Judicial District State’s Attorney David R. Shannon today announced that a jury in Torrington Superior Court on October 2, 2025, found Amie Wilt, age 47, of Torrington, guilty of the crimes of Assault in the Second Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-60(a)(2) and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-181(a)(2). The Honorable Ann E. Lynch presided over the jury trial.

According to evidence introduced at trial, members of the Torrington Police Department responded to a residence for a domestic incident. During the police investigation, it was determined that Wilt assaulted a family member with a baseball bat. 

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, in Torrington Superior Court.

The case was investigated by the Torrington Police Department and was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Danielowski, who was assisted by Paralegal Specialist Melissa Brewer. The State’s Attorney would like to thank the Torrington Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services, for their extensive work and dedication in this investigation.

10/03/2025

(Vernon, CT)  - Craig P. Nowak, State’s Attorney for the Tolland Judicial District, announced today that a jury in Superior Court in Rockville on October 2, 2025 found Deric A. Clarke, age 43, of Waterbury, guilty of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(1). The Honorable Tejas Bhatt presided over the trial. 

Evidence at trial showed that the defendant sexually assaulted the victim in the town of Coventry in 2020. DNA evidence, in conjunction with witness testimony, linked the defendant to the crime. The defendant was on probation at the time of the offense for crimes of public indecency and breach of peace. In addition to the jury’s guilty verdict, Judge Bhatt found that the defendant had violated his probation due to the testimony presented at his criminal trial.

Clarke is being held on bond while awaiting sentencing for his criminal conviction and violation of probation. Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2025 at Superior Court in Rockville.    

State’s Attorney Nowak prosecuted the case with the assistance of Inspector John DiVenere, Manchester Police Department, Coventry Police Department and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Forensic Science Laboratory.