Press Releases

01/27/2023

New Haven Man Sentenced on Manslaughter, Firearms and Witness Tampering Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Milford, CT) — Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney, announced today that Lamar Nalley, age 29, of New Haven, was sentenced on January 25, 2023 by the Honorable Peter L. Brown to 18 years of imprisonment for the July 2020 fatal shooting of Khalil Abdul-Hakeem, age 21, in West Haven.

According to court records, Abdul-Hakeem, of Bridgeport, was fatally shot in a gas station parking lot in West Haven. Following an investigation led by Detective Sean Faughnan of the West Haven Police Department, Nalley was arrested and charged in connection with his death. The evidence showed that Nalley fired a single shot into the victim’s vehicle, striking him in the chest at close range.

Pursuant to an agreement, Nalley pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree with a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-55a, Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-217 and three counts of Tampering With a Witness in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-151. He was sentenced to 40 years of incarceration, execution suspended after 18 years to serve, followed by five years of probation. The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Kalthoff.

During the sentencing hearing, Abdul-Hakeem was supported by members of his large, extended family.  He was described by his mother as loyal, loving, and smart. In addition to his mother, he left behind two brothers and two sisters. His father passed away when he was only three years old.