State v. Patrick M.

Citations

• 344 Conn. 565

Syllabus

Convicted of the crimes of murder and criminal possession of a firearm in connection with the death of his wife, Y, the defendant appealed to this court. The police had reported to the defendant's apartment, where he lived with Y and their two year old daughter, P, in response to a 911 call concerning a domestic disturbance. Upon entering the apartment, the police found the body of Y, who had died from multiple gunshot wounds to her head, as well as narcotics, packaging materials, and cash. The police thereafter located P in Brooklyn, New York, at the home of the defendant's sister, who indicated that the defendant had dropped off P the morning after Y's murder. The defendant was found in Massa- chusetts and arrested several days later. Following his arrest, the defen- dant was advised of and exercised his right to remain silent pursuant to Miranda v. Arizona (384 U.S. 436). Before trial, the state filed notice of its intent to introduce evidence of the defendant's uncharged miscon- duct, including the testimony of J, an ex-girlfriend of Y with whom Y had recently reunited, for the purpose of demonstrating the defendant's intent and identity. The defendant moved to exclude J's testimony, but In accordance with our policy of protecting the privacy interests of the victims of family violence, we decline to identify the victim or others through whom the victim's identity may be ascertained. See General Statutes § 54-86e. 566 SEPTEMBER, 2022 344 Conn. 565 State v. Patrick M. the trial court ultimately concluded that it was relevant and not unduly prejudicial. At trial, J testified about two incidents that occurred a few months before Y's murder, when the defendant threatened J with a firearm at a funeral and when the defendant broke down the door to J's apartment while J and Y were in bed together. The state also elicited testimony from T, who was a drug runner for the defendant. T testified that he had been with the defendant in a car owned by T's mother on the day of