(Hartford, CT) - Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced today that a Superior Court jury in Hartford on October 28, 2025 found Benjamin White, age 38, of Hartford, 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).
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 would like to acknowledge the bravery of the surviving victim for coming forward to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of himself and his deceased friend. State’s Attorney Walcott also would like to thank the Hartford Police Department, namely Detective Jeffrey Pethigal, for dedicating additional time and resources to ensure that this case was fully and properly presented at trial.
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. The Honorable Joseph B. Schwartz presided over the trial.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026 in Hartford Superior Court.