(Bridgeport, CT) - Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Bridgeport, announced that a Superior Court jury today found Tarik Francis, age 29, of Bridgeport, guilty of the 2021 murders of his girlfriend, Candace Goodwin, and family friend Austin Burgher, after a week-long trial. “I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of Ms. Goodwin and Mr. Burgher. I hope today’s verdict will be of some consolation for their great loss” Corradino said.
Francis was convicted of two counts of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54(a). He also was convicted of Murder with Special Circumstances, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54b(7) for committing the murder of two or more people at the same time or in the course of the same transaction. Francis, a convicted felon, was also convicted of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217. The jury found him not guilty of attempted murder of a police officer who responded to the scene.
“The jury addressed the evidence with care and worked diligently to reach an appropriate verdict consistent with the evidence and the law,” said Corradino, who tried the case along with Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Formichella. Corradino praised the quick reaction of the Bridgeport Police Department, who rapidly surrounded the defendant’s residence and secured the scene. After a two-hour stand-off, the defendant surrendered to police without further incident. “We rely on the experience and professionalism of our law enforcement officers to bring these cases to a close for the victims and the safety of the community,” Corradino said.
Corradino also praised the work of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. “Their work is second to none,” he said. In addition to Formichella, Corradino was assisted in the presentation of the case by paralegal Iris Villanueva and Inspector Martin Heanue.
Francis faces life in prison without possibility of release on the murder with special circumstances count and an additional 10 years on the criminal possession of a firearm count when he is sentenced by Judge Robin Pavia on December 16, 2025.