(New Haven, CT) - New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. announced today that the Honorable Frank A. Iannotti on August 19, 2025, sentenced James Black, age 42, of Myakka City, Florida, to 18 years in prison, execution suspended after 10 years served, followed by five years of probation.
On June 10, 2025, Black pleaded guilty in Superior Court in New Haven to charges of Manslaughter in the First Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-55(a)(3), Evading Responsibility, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 14-224(a), and Tampering with Physical Evidence, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-155. The defendant, while operating his pickup at a high rate of speed and under the influence of alcohol, fatally struck David Horbal, age 67, while he was walking home from work on Foxon Road in North Branford on March 28, 2024. Evidence showed that the defendant was operating his pickup 75-80 mph after consuming five beers at a nearby bar. The defendant’s coworker was a passenger in his vehicle. The defendant failed to stop after he struck the victim, despite pleas from his passenger to stop and get help. The defendant then created an alibi, asking his coworker to damage his truck with a skid steer from a construction site to elude detection by police. The defendant fled to Florida via back roads in a further attempt to avoid detection.
The defendant was apprehended in Florida, and waived extradition to Connecticut on April 10, 2024. His truck had been partially repaired, and the damaged parts were found in its bed. Egg shell particles were found stuck to the truck’s passenger side headlight. The victim had eggs in a bag he was carrying when he was struck. Video evidence from the RV park showed the defendant removing a bag from his truck’s front grill and disposing of it.
The North Branford Police Department’s excellent and thorough investigation resulted in the defendant’s quick arrest and successful prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney David J. Strollo.