A 20-year-old Connecticut man named Richard Barrington pleaded guilty to several charges, including manslaughter, in connection to a car crash that killed a Hartford police officer and seriously injured the officer’s partner. The crash occurred in 2023 when Barrington, who was 18 at the time, fled a traffic stop, drove through two red lights, and collided with the officer’s cruiser. Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten, a veteran of the Hartford Police Department, died from his injuries, while his partner, Officer Brian Kearney, was seriously injured but later released from the hospital.
Barrington is scheduled to appear in court for a sentencing hearing on June 20. In addition to manslaughter, he has pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and interfering with a police officer. Initially charged with motor vehicle-related crimes, Barrington’s charges were later escalated to include first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, driving under the influence, and other alleged crimes.
A memorial service for Officer Garten drew police officers from across the region, as he was well-respected among his colleagues. Barrington’s lawyer, Cameron Atkinson, stated that they will reserve their comments for Judge Gold at the upcoming sentencing hearing. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
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