(Hartford, CT) - Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Joseph B. Schwartz today sentenced Benjamin White, age 38, of Hartford, to serve 65 years in prison for the 2022 murder of Simon Griffin in Hartford.
A Superior Court jury in Hartford on October 28, 2025 found White guilty of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(5), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217(a)(1). The prison sentence includes 50 years for Murder, 10 years for Assault in the First Degree, and five years for Criminal Possession of a Firearm, all to be served consecutively.
According to evidence introduced at the trial, on August 11, 2022, Hartford Police received a 911 call reporting that shots had been fired at 252 Laurel Street, and that two individuals had been shot. Simon Griffin, age 33, suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced deceased. A second victim, age 27, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was transported to the hospital.
The surviving victim provided a statement that on the day of the incident, he and Griffin were at Griffin’s apartment. White, who was known to Griffin, joined the men and began smoking and drinking with them. Griffin and White then got into an argument regarding a prior criminal offense White had committed. White then left the room and reentered with a firearm. White pointed the firearm at the surviving victim and Griffin, ordering both men to sit on the floor. White then shot both men, wounding the surviving victim and killing Griffin.
State’s Attorney Walcott reaffirms her appreciation for the bravery of the surviving victim, for coming forward to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of himself and his deceased friend, and for being present at today's sentencing. His voice was heard and a just sentence was imposed. State’s Attorney Walcott also reaffirmed her appreciation for the dedication to the case by Detective Jeffrey Pethigal and the Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Unit.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle O’Connell with support from Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Owen Kivela and the assistance of Inspector Carlos Ocasio and Paralegal Specialist Kelly Randall.