(New Haven, CT) - John P. Doyle Jr., State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of New Haven, today announced that on November 25, 2024, the Honorable Elpedio N. Vitale sentenced Rashad Hardy, age 49, of New Haven, to 65 years in prison for the July 2020 murder of Ricky Newton in New Haven.
On August 28, 2024, a jury in New Haven Superior Court found Hardy guilty of the crime of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a and Carrying a Pistol without a Permit in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-35(a). Hardy was also convicted of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217 in a separate proceeding that was tried before the court.
According to evidence introduced at trial, Hardy shot Newton, age 36, of New Haven, on Rosette Street in New Haven on July 10, 2020. Newton succumbed to his injuries within minutes after the shooting. An arrest warrant was secured for Hardy and he was extradited from the state of Maryland in August of 2020. Family members of the victim attended the November 25, 2024 sentencing hearing. The Court heard from the son of the victim, who was 10 years old at the time of his father’s death. Judge Vitale noted Hardy’s extensive criminal history as well as the seriousness of the offense, referring to the shooting as “an assassination.”
The case was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa R. Holmes and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas J. Finnucan, who were assisted by Inspector Sean Faughnan and Inspector Michael Mastropetre.
State’s Attorney Doyle would like to extend his gratitude to the New Haven Police Department for their investigative efforts, as well as the State of Connecticut Division of Scientific Services for their cooperation and assistance.