Jury Convicts Meriden Gang Member of Murder and Other Crimes Stemming from Gang-Related Killing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(New Haven, CT) – Patrick J. Griffin, New Haven State’s Attorney, today announced that Trevor Outlaw, 35, formerly of Meriden, was found guilty by a jury on February 23, 2022, of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-35(a), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217. The jury trial in Superior Court in New Haven was presided over by the Honorable Elpedio N. Vitale.

Outlaw’s conviction stems from the shooting death of a rival gang member, Giovanni Rodriguez, 24, which occurred in the early-morning hours of June 21, 2020, in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn & Suites hotel located at 900 East Main Street, Meriden. Prosecutors introduced evidence that Outlaw and an accomplice were alerted to Rodriguez’s presence at the hotel by an associate. Evidence established that Outlaw, the passenger in a slow-rolling car, opened fire on Rodriguez with a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun as Rodriguez removed items from his car in the hotel parking lot. Mortally wounded by the gunfire, Rodriguez attempted to flee on foot, ultimately collapsing near the hotel entrance door. Prosecutors alleged an on-going conflict between the two rival gangs provided the motive for the killing.

Outlaw is a multiple-convicted felon, with previous convictions for assault, robbery, burglary, larceny, failure to appear, and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. Sentencing is scheduled before Judge Vitale on May 26, 2022.

State’s Attorney Griffin singled out for praise the extensive investigative efforts of the Meriden Police Department that led to Outlaw’s conviction, stating: “The attention to detail exhibited by the investigators in this case contributed greatly to the successful outcome in court.” State’s Attorney Griffin thanked the Connecticut Department of Public Safety Division of Scientific Services lab personnel and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their contributions to the successful prosecution, and commended the work of Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Seth Garbarsky and Jason Germain, who prosecuted the case.