(New Haven, CT) – New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. today announced that a jury in New Haven Superior Court on October 7, 2026, found David Britto, age 61, of New Haven, guilty of the crimes of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(1), Unlawful Restraint in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-95(a) and Assault in the Third Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-61(a)(1). The Honorable David L. Zagaja presided over the jury trial.
According to evidence introduced at trial, Britto restrained the victim inside of a vehicle, punched her in the head and sexually assaulted her on July 19, 2018 in New Haven.
The case was investigated by the New Haven Police Department Special Victims Unit and was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa R. Holmes and Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle Hottin, who were assisted by Inspector Kevin Grenier.
The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office would like to extend its gratitude to the state Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services and Bode Laboratories for their assistance with the investigation.
A jury in Superior Court in New Haven on June 26, 2023 found Britto guilty in this case. In 2025, however, the Connecticut Appellate Court reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new trial, concluding that Britto had not been adequately advised of the risks and disadvantages of self-representation in his first trial. Britto was represented by counsel during the retrial.
“The victim in this matter deserves significant recognition for her exceptional bravery and resilience, having courageously testified in two separate trials,” State’s Attorney Doyle said.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2026 in New Haven Superior Court