Affidavit for Erick Bennett. by Record Journal

ARREST WARRANT APPLICATION

FOR COURT USE ONLY

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT www.jud.state.ct.us

JD-CR-64b Rev. 10-04 C G.S. § 54-2a Pr. Bk. Sec. 36-1,36-2,36-3

SUPPORTING AFFIDAVITS SEALED

AGENCY NAME

AGENCY NO.

Meriden NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF ACCUSED

080 COURT TO BE HELD AT (Town)

Erick Bennett 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden, CT.

GANO.

Meriden

APPLICAnON FOR ARREST WARRANT TO: A Judge of the Superior Court The undersigned hereby applies for a warrant for the arrest of the above-named accused on the basis of the facts

1:8:1

set forth in the:

AFFIDAVIT BELOW_

AFFIDAVIT(S) ATTACHED.

DATE AND SIGNATURE

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

1. The undersigned Det. Carlos Otero, being duly sworn, does depose and state he is a member of the Meriden Police Department. Furthermore that he has been a member of said Department for approximately 22 years prior to the date hereof, and at all times mentioned herein was acting as a member of said Department and also the following facts and circumstances are stated from personal knowledge and observation a well as information received from brother officers acting in their official capacities. 2. On 07-10-09, approximately 2311 hrs, patrol officers were dispatched to Raffy's Cafe on a report of a fight in which a male may have been stabbed or shot. Officer Stoute, first on the scene, observed a male laying on the ground in the rear lot north of 163 Springdale Ave, Meriden, CT., by a parked car with a female, later identified as Veronica Arroyo, tending to him. The injured male was identified as Willie Brown, a 41 year old black male, DOB 06-26-68, of 229 Plaza Drive, Middletown, CT. A close friend of the victim later identified as Christopher Benjamin, AKA "Country", was also near the victim. Patrol officers and supervisors had responded and started a preliminary investigation on how Brown was injured. The supervisor of the major crimes unit responded and at about 2330 hrs, I was called in to investigate this case. Other detectives of the major crimes unit and evidence unit were called to assist. 3. Brown was transported to Mid-State Medical Center in Meriden, CT, by Hunter's Ambulance where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Timothy Tyler at 2345 hrs. His injuries consisted of one stab wound to the right shoulder, one to the middle chest and one towards the left shoulder. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and certified the cause of death being from multiple stab wounds and the manner of death as a Homicide.

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FINDI The foregoing Application for an arrest warrant, and affidavit(s) attached to said Application, having been submitted to and considered by the undersigned, the undersigned finds from said affidavit(s) that there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed and that the accused committed it and, therefore, that probable cause exists for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the above-named accused_ DATE AND SIGNATURE

NAME OF JUDGE/J,U.I;)CE TRIAL RfsTEiREE

I?lue

ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. ยง 54-213 Pr. Bk. See, 36-1,36-2,36-3

AND

INSTRUCTIONS The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutorial official and judgeljudge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

OF ACCUSED

Erick Bennett 34 Horton

CT. AFFIDAVIT

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

4. The crime occurred outside 163 Springdale Avel Meriden, CT. which is a brown three story structure with apartments on the second and third floors and a business/ IIRaffy's cafe ll l on the ground floor. It is situated on the northern side of Springdale Avenue. A common driveway on the western side of the property leads to a rear yard parking lot which is shared by condominiums numbered as 167 Springdale Avenue.

5. On 07-10-09, 2350 hrs, Detective Clements spoke with a witness, Jennifer Matias, who said she was at her mother's house at 167 Springdale Avenue, when she heard noise coming from the outside. When Matias looked out the window she saw three black males fighting. Matias described the males as follows: one was wearing a yellow shirt, the second wearing a white A-shirt, and the third wearing a red shirt and white basketball shorts. Matias said the male in the yellow shirt had pushed the male in the white shirt to the ground and shortly there after someone fired a gun. Matias said she called 911 and reported the incident and then saw the male in the red shirt start up a sporty looking car. This male ran over to where the male in the white shirt, [Brown]1 was lying and then ran back to the vehicle got in and drove away towards Lewis Avenue. Matias said she saw the male in the yellow shirt on a phone near the front of the bar yelling IIHe's dead, I killed him". It was later learned through the interview with Therina Brown, sister of the victim, that the male in the yellow shirt was Christopher Benjamin and he had been talking to Nicole Brown, also sister of the victim, when he said to her "Oh my god, Willie's dead", "He not moving and I think that he's dead". 6. On 07-10-09, approximately 2340 hrs, I attempted to speak with Veronica Arroyo who identified herself as Willie Brown's girlfriend. Arroyo was reluctant to speak with the police and gave little details of the incident. Due to red blood like stains on her clothing, Arroyo was taken to the Meriden Police Department where her clothing was seized as part of this investigation. After changing into a fresh set of clothing, Arroyo refused a ride home and left on her own. Arroyo would be reinterviewed later the following day,

07-11-09. 7. On 07-11-09, approximately 0130 hrs, Detective Stavrides and I attempted to interview Christopher Benjamin at the Meriden Police Department. Benjamin was at first willing to talk about the incident but then became reluctant and was not interviewed until later on in the day. Prior to leaving headquarters, Benjamin'S clothing including a yellow shirt with blood like stains on it, a pair of pants and a pair of sneakers were seized as evidence.

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DATE AND SIGNATURE

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 CG.S. ยง 54-2a

Pr. Bk. See. 36-1,36-2,36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutoriaf official and judgeljudge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

AFFIDAVIT The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

8. The address of 159 Springdale Avenue, Meriden, CT, is a three story apartment building, color blue, situated on the northern side of Springdale Avenue, with a narrow driveway on the western side of the property line leading to a rear gravel yard. Due to possible evidence observed in the rear of 159 Springdale Avenue, by detectives while canvassing the scene and a state police K-9 alerting on a beer bottle, Detective Clements attempted to contact the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, in order to obtain consent to search. A check of the City of Meriden Assessors' Office showed the listed owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, as Erick Bennett of 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden, CT. Due to the fact that Bennett could not be located at 34 Horton Avenue, and that there was no response to phone calls to his residence, a search warrant was obtained and secured for the rear lot of 159 Springdale Avenue. 9. On 07-11-09, at approximately 0320 hrs, Detective Stavrides and Detective Cerejo as part of a neighborhood canvas spoke with Kenneth Davis who was at the scene at the time of the incident. Davis said on 07-10-09, he had walked over to the apartment complex behind Raffy's Cafe where he saw a Hispanic female, later identified as Veronica Arroyo, hanging out with a group of Hispanic and Black males. Davis said this was around 2220 hrs. Davis said he also saw a male known to him as "Country", [Christopher Benjamin], hanging out with a group of people he knew. Davis said Benjamin told him, "I'll be right back", and then left in a Lexus. Davis said Benjamin returned about 10 minutes later with a friend, Willie Brown, whom Davis believed to be the boyfriend of Veronica Arroyo. Davis said the boyfriend, [Brown], was wearing a white shirt, and had a muscular, slim build. Davis said Brown went into Raffy's Cafe and a short while later Arroyo, came out of Raffy's Cafe all mad at Benjamin, asking him why did he have to bring him, [Brown], there. 10. According to Davis about five to ten minutes later the boyfriend, [Brown], came out of Raffy's Cafe and went to where everyone else was. The group consisted of about five males and two females who where unknown to Davis. Davis said the boyfriend, [Brown], went over and grabbed the Hispanic female [Arroyo], from the group. Davis said he saw the victim, [Brown], getting into an argument with the five males. Davis said the arguing settled down and started again several times. Davis said the boyfriend, [Brown] and his girlfriend, [Arroyo], went back and forth several times into Raffys' Cafe and it looked like everybody had settled down. Davis said while talking with Benjamin trying to get him to understand why everybody was mad at him for bringing Brown to the bar, he heard screaming, and when he turned he saw Brown walking in a daze towards the bar and fall behind a burgundy Dynasty which was parked in the lot. Davis said he did not see who stabbed Brown.

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Affidavit!

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME ON (Date)

JURAT

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SIGNED (Affiant)

ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. ~ 54-2a

Pr. BK. See. 36-1,36-2,36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutorial official and judge/judge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF ACCUSED

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

COURT TO BE HELD AT (TDwn)

Erick Bennett 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden, CT.

Meriden AFFIDAVIT

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

11. During the interview Davis said Erick Bennett is his cousin and had been at Raffy's Cafe that night but he was not sure of the time. Davis said he rents the third floor apartment from Bennett at 159 Springdale Avenue. 12. On 07-11-09, approximately 1400 hrs, Arroyo returned to police headquarters wanting to talk about the incident outside Raffy's Cafe. Arroyo said she lives at 229 Plaza Drive, Middletown, CT. with her boyfriend, Willie Brown. Arroyo said earlier in the evening 07-10-09, she and Brown went to Brown's sister's house at 8 Hobart Street, to visit. Arroyo said a short while later she received a call from a male she knows only by the street name of "E", later identified as Erick Bennett, who told her he was in the area with his sister "Cees", later identified as Sara Bennett. Arroyo said "E" asked her if she wanted to go play pool at Raffy's Cafe with "Cees" and that he would pick her up. Arroyo said she decided to go and told Brown. He decided he did not want to go but had asked her if she would go to the liquor store for him before she left. Arroyo said she remembers this was just before 2100 hrs, because the liquor store closes at 2100 hrs. Arroyo said when "E" picked her up, he was driving a gray BMW. Arroyo said they drove to the liquor store at the corner of East Main Street, and Broad Street, where she purchased vodka and then dropped it off at 8 Hobart Street. After that she said "E" drove her and "Cees" to Raffy's Cafe. 13. Arroyo said they arrived at Raffy's Cafe a little after 2100 and that "E" [Bennett] had parked the car in the rear parking lot of 159 Springdale Avenue; the house next door to Raffy's Cafe. Arroyo said "E" [Bennett] told her he owned the house. Arroyo said she and "E" were hanging out behind the bar near "E"s car when she received a phone call from Brown wanting to know where she was. Arroyo said Brown had called her several times after that to ask her where she was. Arroyo said during one of the calls she told Brown that "Country", [Benjamin], who is a close friend of Brown, was also hanging out at the bar. Brown asked her to put him on and she told him no then hung up the phone. Arroyo said Brown called her again and this time she handed the phone over to "Country". Arroyo said "Country" ended up leaving to go pick up Brown and bring him to the bar. Arroyo said when Brown arrived they hugged and she gave him a kiss inside the bar. Arroyo said Brown then went outside to the rear of the bar to talk to "Country". After she got her drink she followed him outside. 14. Arroyo said Brown and "E" [Bennett], started arguing and about five other guys unknown to her started to surround Brown. Arroyo said she "bum rushed" the guys and they all backed off to form a circle around Brown and "E" [Bennett]. Arroyo said "E" [Bennett] and Brown were face to face with each other so close they were bumping each others heads. Arroyo stated she got in between the two of them, facing "E" [Bennett] with her back to Brown. Arroyo said "E" [Bennett] grabbed her by the wrist, and pushed her to the side where she fell to the ground. Arroyo said when she got up and turned to face Brown and "E" [Bennett], she saw Brown was stumbling away from liE", [Bennett]. Arroyo said "E" [Bennett] was the only one close to Brown. Arroyo said she thought Brown had been punched and went over to see if he was okay. Arroyo said she saw Brown was bleeding from a stab wound and gasping for air. Arroyo said she put pressure on the wound and tried to push air into Brown's mouth. Arroyo said liE" [Bennett], got into his gray BMW with his sister "Cees" and drove out of the parking lot.

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. ยง 54-2a

Pr. Bk. See. 36-1, 36-2, 36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutor/a I official and judgeljudge trial referee are to date and sign or Initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

AND

Erick Bennett 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden,

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

COURT TO BE HELD AT (Town)

cr.

Meriden AFFIDAVIT

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

15. During the course of the interview Arroyo referred to Bennett as "E", not being sure of his full name. Arroyo stated she thought "E"s first name may have been Eric, but she was not sure. Arroyo described "E" as a black male, short and stocky, about 5.9 tall, in his late thirties, wearing a red baseball cap with a red button up shirt and possibly jeans and sneakers. Arroyo also mentioned "E" had applied for a job with the Department of Corrections recently. 16. After the interview with Arroyo, I recalled the name of Erick Bennett who had been arrested earlier this year on firearms violations and who said at the time he was in the process of applying for a job with the Department of Corrections. At this pOint I believed "E" was the same Erick Bennett. I checked in house records and was able to obtain a recent photograph of Erick Bennett. Detective Clements prepared a photo line-up which included a photograph of Erick Bennett DOB 09-19-75. Detective Clements told me Meriden Tax records showed Erick Bennett of 34 Horton Avenue as the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, which "E" told Arroyo he owned. Detective Clements also recalled when he had gone to 34 Horton Avenue, there was a gray BMW parked at that location. As a result of this information Detective Sergeant Baustein and Detective Stavrides responded to 34 Horton Avenue, and noticed a gray BMW parked in the driveway. This location was maintained under surveillance until search warrants were obtained. 17. On 07-11-09, approximately 1645 hrs, Arroyo returned to the police department for purposes of viewing the photo line up. While the audio/video system was being activated, Detective Clements went to the lobby to get Arroyo. When Arroyo entered the interview room she prematurely saw the photo line up which had been unintentionally left on the desk and spontaneously pOinted to photo # 3 in the line up as that of IIE". The photo line up Arroyo saw did not display the identity of any of the subjects. Arroyo was told she needed first to be advised on MPD procedure for Witness Line-Up Instructions. Arroyo signed off on the form and was presented with the photo line up in which she immediately and without hesitation identified photo #3, as that of the male she knows as "E". Photograph number 3 is of Erick Bennett, DOB 09-19-1975, LKA 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden, cr. 18. On 07-11-09 at approximately 1910 hrs, Christopher Benjamin, "Country", called the Meriden Police Department and said he wanted to come in and talk about the incident that occurred in the rear of 163 Springdale Avenue. During the interview Benjamin said while at Raffy's on the night of 07-10-09 he saw "the guy who owns the house next to the bar" (159 Springdale Avenue) with a serrated edge knife on three separate occasions that night. Benjamin described the knife as a folding type about eight inches overall with a four inch serrated blade; he was unsure of the color of the knife stating that it was dark and difficult to tell. (This is page

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DATE AND SIGNATURE Public)

JURAT

ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10路04

e.G.s. 搂 54-2a

Pr. Bk.

See.

36-1, 36-2, 36-3

INSTRUCTIONS.

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutoriai official and judgeljudge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF ACCUSED

Erick Bennett 34 Horton - - -_ ______ __ _________

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

COURT TO BE HELD AT (Town) ~

____

CT.

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Meriden _ _ _ _ _ _ _L -_ _ _ _ _ ___________

GA NO. ~

AFFIDAVIT

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

19. Benjamin said he has known Willie Brown for some time because they both lived in the same building at 586 Broad Street, Meriden. Benjamin said on Friday, 07-10-09 he had stopped by 163 Springdale Avenue, Raffy's Cafe, because he was going to hang out with another male he knows as Kenneth Davis. Benjamin said he saw Arroyo, Brown's girlfriend, had arrived with another male, who he said was the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue and a female whom he said Arroyo is friends with. Benjamin said that they arrived in a gray BMW. 20. Benjamin said Arroyo came up to him and gave him her cell phone saying Brown wanted to talk with him. Benjamin said Brown asked him, "Yo are you hanging out without me"? Brown asked for Benjamin to come pick him up. Benjamin said he was hesitant in doing this because he knew Arroyo was Brown's girlfriend and he thought if he brought Brown to Springdale Avenue/ there might be problems between Brown and the male owner of 159 Springdale Avenue/ [Bennett]. Benjamin said he did not know the name of the male Arroyo was with but he has seen him before on other occasions. 21. Benjamin said he went to pick up Brown and drove him to Raffy's Cafe. When they arrived at Raffy's Cafe, Brown went up to Arroyo and gave her a kiss and hug. Benjamin said it appeared everyone was getting along fine without any problems. Benjamin said they started hanging outside the bar in the rear yards north of 159 and 163 Springdale Avenue. Benjamin said everything was fine up until the time Brown and the other male, the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett], started arguing with each other. 22. Benjamin said there were three separate times during the night in which Brown and the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett], argued and then made up. Benjamin said all three times/ he saw the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett], with a knife in his hand. Benjamin said the first time Brown and the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett], argued, the owner of 159 SpringdaleAvenue, [Bennett], pulled the knife out and held it down by his right Side and asked Brown, "You really want to do this right now?". Benjamin said he had intervened in an attempt to break up the argument. Benjamin said during the second argument the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett], pulled out the knife and held it near Benjamin's chest/throat area and made thrusting motions in the air with it while repeating! "I'm a killer"/ and told Benjamin he could kill any of them if he wanted to/ not that he did! but just so they knew he could. Benjamin said during the third argument he saw the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, [Bennett]! pull out the knife again and he, [Benjamin] walked away towards the front of Raffy's Cafe.

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I DATE . Notary Public)

ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev 10-04 C.G.S. ยง 54-2a

Pr. Bk. See. 36-1, 36-2, 36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutorial official and judge/judge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to mdicate that they have reviewed it.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF

Erick Bennett 34 Horton

CT. AFFIDAVIT

The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

23. Benjamin said he heard a female yell "Oh my God!!. Benjamin said he turned around to see Brown stumble and start to fall down. Benjamin said he ran over to Brown and caught him just before he fell to the ground. Benjamin said he had called Therina Brown, Willie's sister and other family members and told them that Brown had been stabbed. 24. Benjamin was asked if he could point out the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, who had been holding the knife and making threats towards Brown and himself from a photo line up. He replied yes after which he was read and he signed the form on procedures for witness identification. Benjamin immediately identified photo #3 as that of the male that was arguing with Willie Brown and who had displayed a knife during the incident at 163/159 Springdale Ave., Meriden, CT. Photo #3 is that of Erick Bennett, DaB 09-19-1975, LKA 34 Horton Ave., Meriden! CT. 25. On 07-11-09, approximately 2300 hrs! Detectives executed search warrants at 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden, CT., first and second floor apartments, where clothing similar to those Erick Bennett was seen wearing on the night of the incident were seized. Specifically red type shirts and red baseball caps. A search warrant was also executed for the gray BMW, VIN WBACB4314PFI05024, marker plate 921-WYM, which was in the driveway of 34 Horton Avenue. This vehicle was impounded. Jacqueline Iamunno! the first floor tenant and the registered owner of the gray BMW, was present and allowed entry into the building. The second floor apartment was found unlocked. 26. On 07-13-09, approximately 1230 hrs, Detective Seigler and I went to 32 Cook Avenue! Meriden and spoke with Kenneth Davis who was staying at this location. Davis said he had nothing more to add to the statement he had provided to Detective Stavrides on the night of the incident except to say "Country", [Benjamin]! had a machete in his hand during one of the arguments but had not threatened anyone with it. Davis said IICountry" had put the machete in the trunk of the Lexus. Davis added that Erick Bennett was his cousin and they had grown up together. 27. On 07-13-09, detectives conducted a search of the 1993 Lexus, VIN JT8UF11E2P0170496, marker plate 544-URH, that had been impounded earlier on consent and discovered a machete in the trunk. This item was seized and tagged as evidence.

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. ~ 54-2a Pr. Bk. See. 36-1,36-2,36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit The prosecutor!al official and judgeljudge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

cr.

Erick Bennett 34 Horton

AFFIDAVIT The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

28. On 07-13-09, Detective Burstein and Detective Pocobello conducted a search of and processed a 1993 BMW, 325i l VIN WBACB4314PFL050241 marker plate 921 WYM. During this search, Detective Burstein observed a cylindrical piece of metal that appeared to have a blood like substance on it. This item was located between the front driver's seat and the carpet on the center transmission tunnel. Detective Burstein recognized this piece of metal as being consistent with a thumb stud from a folding knife. This item was seized as evidence and tagged as item #33. The processing of this vehicle continued up until 0300 hrsl 07-14-09 and was resumed at approximately 1155 hrs l 07-14-09. During this second part of the search Detective BUrstein discovered another cylindrical piece of metal under the front diver's seat. This piece of metal was also consistent to a thumb stud and appeared to be similar to the first item already found. This item was seized as evidence and tagged as item #38. On 07-15-09, approximately 1101 hrs, both items were submitted to the State of Connecticut Forensic Laboratory for analysis. 29. On 07-16-09 1 approximately 1255 hrsl Therina Brown came to police headquarters to talk about the incident that occurred behind Raffy's Cafe. Therina said her brother, Willie Brown, had gone to Raffy's cafe with his friend, "Country", [Christopher Benjamin]1 who had picked him up at her house. At around 2245 hrsl Therina said Brown had called their sister Nicole to say that he was about to fight with about five males in the rear yard of Raffy's Cafe. Therina said after that her sister Nicole received another call from Country who started yelling on the phonel "Oh my god, Willie's dead"l "He not moving and I think he's dead". Therina said she went to Raffy's Cafe and spoke with Arroyo who told her the male's name "who did this to Willie"l was in her [Arroyo's] cell phone listed as "E2". Arroyo gave the cell phone to Therina. Therina said she attempted to open the cell phonel but it had lost power. Therina then went to Mid-State Medical Centerl where she turned the phone over to Detective Sergeant Baustien. 30. During the course of this investigation attempts were made to locate Erick Bennett at 159 Springdale Avenue l Meriden, 34 Horton Avenuel Meriden and at his sister's apartment at 657 East Main Street, apt #D20, Meriden. Information was that he had gone to New York City with his sister. 31. On 07-23-09, approximately 1700 hrs, I spoke with Attorney Cannatelli, who said he represented Erick Bennett and wanted to setup an appointment to have his client come to police headquarters. On 07-24-09 1 approximately 1200 hrsl Mr. Cannatelli arrived at police headquarters and Mr. Bennett arrived shortly there after. Bennett was advised and signed a voluntary interview from. Bennett said on FridaYI 07-10-09, he and his sisterl Sara Bennett, picked up Arroyo who had called wanting to hang out. Bennett said while waiting for Arroyo on Hobart Street, Willie Brown walked by and they had greeted each other. 32. Bennett said he was driving a gray BMW which is registered to a girlfriend, Jacqueline Alphonol who lives at 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden. DMV records show the registered owner of the gray BMW as Jacqueline Iamunno. In the interview Bennett said he was wearing a red button up shirt similar to a polo shirt and a red baseball cap and blue jeans on the night of the incident. Bennett said he was the owner of 159 Springdale Avenue, and he lives in the second floor apartment. Bennett said he also owns a two family home at 34 Horton Avenue, Meriden. (This is page

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD路CR路64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. Pr. Bk. 36-2,36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutorial official and judge/judge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

NAME AND RESIDENCE (Town) OF ACCUSED

Erick Bennett 34 Horton

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

COURT TO BE HELD AT (Town)

CT.

Meriden

GANO.

AFFIDAVIT The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

33. Bennett said Arroyo, his sister Sarah, and he arrived at Raffy's Cafe just after 2100 hrs. Bennett said he parked the BMW in the rear yard of 159 Springdale Avenue. Bennett said they hung out in the rear yard and that Arroyo was going in and out of the bar which is next door. Bennett said Arroyo at one point got into an argument with a friend of Brown's whose name is "Country", [earlier identified as Christopher Benjamin], outside the bar. 34. Bennett said "Country", at one point left and returned a short while later with Willie Brown. Bennett said Brown walked up to him and they shook hands and Brown then went into Raffy's Cafe. Bennett said he heard Brown arguing with someone inside the bar. Bennett said while Brown was inside the bar, Arroyo came out and started arguing with "Country" again by the basketball hoop in the rear of 163 Springdale Avenue and that a crowd was gathering. 35. Bennett said his sister Sarah told him she saw "Country", "peeing" in the back yard but that "Country" had first dropped something. Bennett said Sarah told him "I think he put something in your back yard". Bennett said he went to where "Countryll was and asked him "what did you drop in my yard". Bennett said he then saw a Machete on the ground and told IICountry" to get it off his property. Bennett said he told "Country" to put the machete in "Country's" Lexus. Bennett said "Country's" car was a Lexus. A diagram showing the location of vehicles in the rear of Raffy's Cafe shows CT registration 544-URH, 1993 Lexus, was parked in the third parking space north from the rear of Raffy's Cafe. 36. Bennett said Brown came out of the bar and he went over to where the crowd was because he thought "Country" was going to be jumped. Bennett said he saw Brown walk towards "Country's" car and he [Bennett] tried to tell Brown that it was just an argument between "Country" and Arroyo and it was nothing serious. Bennett said while he was trying to calm Brown down he was face to face with him. Bennett said he knew Brown was going to get the machete in Country's Lexus. 37. Bennett said the crowd had followed Brown to where he [Brown] and Bennett were and that someone threw a punch over Bennett's right shoulder and hit Brown in the face. Brown turned around and then fell to the ground. Once he saw Brown was on the ground Bennett told his sister that it was time to go and they got into the BMW, backed out of the driveway, into the street and went East on Springdale Avenue. Bennett said he did not hang around because he knew that the police were coming and he did not want to be there.

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD·CR·64a Rev. 10·04 C.G.S. § 54·2a Pr. Bk. See. 36·1,36-2,36·3 NAME

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit The prosecutorial official and judge/judge trial referee are to date and sign or inlfial each page to indicate that they have reviewed It.

RESIDENCE (Town) OF ACCUSED

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

COURT TO BE HELD AT (Town)

Erick Bennett 34 Horton Avenue l Meriden l CT.

Meriden

G A NO.

AFFIDAVIT The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

38. Bennett said he took the back roads to 34 Horton Avenue, where he dropped off the BMW at his girlfriend's apartment Bennett said he and his sister then walked over to her apartment that is in a building behind ()JS Pharmacy off East Main Street. Bennett said the next day he left for New York City with his sister who was going to visit friends. Bennett said he stayed with friends and his grandmother and learned the police were looking for him when his sister Sarah called and told him the police had gone to her apartment looking for him. Bennett said he did not stab Willie Brown and thought that Brown had been knocked out by the male that punch him. Bennett could not give a description of this male except to say he was possibly Hispanic. 39. On 07-22-09, at approximately 1000 hrs, Brendon Hogue, whose name had been recorded by patrol officers assigned to identify all patrons that were at Raffy's cafe on 07-10-09, was interviewed. Hogue acknowledged he had been at Raffy's Cafe on 07-10-09, however, had not heard or seen anything. At this time as part of my investigative effort in trying to identify individuals involved in the incident, I showed Hogue a picture of Willie Brown, Veronica Arroyo and Erick Bennett. Hogue said he did not know any of these persons. On 07-28-09, approximately 1130 hrs, I reviewed a video tape obtained from Raffy's Cafe which showed Brendan Hogue coming in and out of the back door of the bar that leads to the rear yard where the incident occurred. The video shows Hogue coming into the bar just after the incident occurred and talking to two other males. In the video it appears Hogue is describing the incident that had just occurred outside to the other two males. 40. On 07-28-09, approximately 1400 hrs, Detective Clements and I spoke with Hogue again and invited him to come to headquarters to which he agreed. When confronted with the details of the video, Hogue said he had in fact seen an altercation between two black males in the rear yard of 163 Springdale Avenue, on 07-10-09. Hogue described the two males that were fighting as follows: one of the males was wearing a white Tank top T-shirt and the other male as wearing a dark red or purple polo type button down shirt. Hogue said the two males were about the same height and weight. Hogue said the fight took place in the back lot between where he was standing by the rear entrance of the bar and the basketball hoop in the rear of the parking lot. Hogue said there was a gray BMW parked in the rear of 159 Springdale Avenue, with the doors wide open and it's radio playing. 41. Hogue said he saw the male in the dark red polo shirt push the male with the white Tank top T-shirt and knocked him to the ground. Hogue said the male with the white Tank top T-shirt got up again and Hogue "thought he saw the male in the red polo shirt punch the male in the white tank top a couple of times in the chest". Hogue said the male in the white T-shirt fell again and then got back up but this time Hogue saw that the male's white T-shirt was covered in blood. Hogue said the male in the white T-shirt fell again to the ground and the male in the red polo shirt ran out of the parking lot towards the street. Hogue said the fight was just between these two males and did not involve anyone else.

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ARREST WARRANT AFFIDAVIT CONTINUATION PAGE JD-CR-64a Rev. 10-04 C.G.S. ~ 54-2a Pr. Bk. See. 36-1,36-2,36-3

INSTRUCTIONS

The jurat is to be completed for each page of the affidavit. The prosecutonal official and judge/judge trial referee are to date and sign or initial each page to indicate that they have reviewed it.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT SUPERIOR COURT

AFFIDAVIT The undersigned affiant, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

42. Hogue said the male that punched the other looked like he could have stabbed the other male by the way he had brought his arm in a swinging motion. Hogue said he did not see anything in the male's hands. Hogue said the male in the white T-shirt lay on the ground and everybody that was there started getting into vehicles and leaving the area. Hogue said he remembers seeing the gray BMW back out of the driveway of 159 Springdale Avenue and go out into the street. A photo line up was shown to Hogue who identified photo #3 as the photo of the male whose photo he was shown in the previous interview. 43. On 07-28-09[ the Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory issued a report indicating the blood like substance discovered on the items #33 and #38 which had been submitted for analysis[ tested positive as blood of human origin. The laboratory forward samples from above along with known blood samples from the victim-Willie Brown and finger nail clippings to the lab's DNA unit for analysis. 44. As part of this investigation Detective Stavrides was assigned to obtain and secure a search warrant for the following cell phone: Motorola 1335[ cell phone # 860-262-8749[ belonging to Veronica Arroyo. 45. On 08-10-09[ approximately 0810 hrs[ Detective Clements and I reviewed the phone list in Arroyo's cell phone[ 860-262-8749[ and found the following listing E2 : 203-401-9997. Erick Bennett's stated that this was his cell phone number during his interview and listed it on his voluntary interview form. 46. On 09-08-09[ the Connecticut State Forensic Laboratory issued a report regarding the results from the submitted blood swabbing regarding the thumb studs. It was determined the blood was from the victim Willie Brown. 47. An NCIC records checked shows Erick Bennett to be a black male DOB 09-19"1975[ about 5.06 tall[ weighing 170 Ibs. brown eyes[ black hair[ LKA 34 Horton Avenue[ Meriden[ CT.[ also 159 Springdale Avenue[ Meriden[ Ct. Arrest history includes Interfering with police and Illegally carrying firearm-under the influence drugs jalcohol[ offense date 3-19-09. 48. Wherefore the undersigned states that he has probable cause to believe that said Erick Bennett did commit the crime of Murder in violation of section 53a-54a of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut.

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