© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Perez Attorneys Call on State Supreme Court to Order Two New Trials

Laura Ouimette
/
Creative Commons
Former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez speaking in 2007.

Attorneys for former Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez have filed their latest briefs to the state Supreme Court, continuing their effort to keep their client out of jail more than four years since his conviction on corruption-related charges.

In the 45-page document, Perez's attorneys tell the justices they should affirm a lower court's ruling and order two new trials for the former mayor.  This comes, according to the Hartford Courant, shortly after a state court judge rejected a deal that would have spared Perez jail time.

Perez was originally convicted in 2010 on charges relating to bribery and extortion while he was mayor.  A judge sentenced him to three years in prison.  But the former mayor remained free while he appealed that ruling.  Then, in 2013, the state's appellate court threw out the original convictions and ordered two new trials.  

While the appellate court ruled that there was enough evidence to convict Perez, it said the trial court judge made a procedural error that merited two new trials. This came after Perez's lawyer, Hubert Santos, argued that one court proceeding for two separate cases -- one about extortion, the other about bribery -- made it impossible for his client to get a fair trial.  State prosecutors had argued they wanted to combine the cases for the purpose of judicial economy.

After the appellate court ruling, the state appealed to the state Supreme Court, where the case is pending.  

Prosecutors now have until later this month to file their reply.

 

 

Jeff Cohen started in newspapers in 2001 and joined Connecticut Public in 2010, where he worked as a reporter and fill-in host. In 2017, he was named news director. Then, in 2022, he became a senior enterprise reporter.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content