Press Releases
03/03/2023
Jury Convicts John Bolton of 2019 Murder of Carl Spence in Hartford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) - Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott announced today that a jury in Hartford Superior Court on March 2, 2023, found John Bolton guilty of the crime of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-217. The Honorable Michael J. Gustafson presided over the jury trial.
According to evidence introduced at trial, Bolton fatally shot the victim, Carl Spence, on January 8, 2019 during an argument between the two men in a Hartford apartment. Bolton was arrested on January 28, 2019.
The case was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle O'Connell with assistance from Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Richard J. Rubino and Inspector Thomas Steck.
“We are grateful for the hard work the Hartford Police Department puts into each and every homicide case," State's Attorney Walcott said. "They go above and beyond in their investigation that often involves relying on reluctant witnesses. The family endured a lot of pain and unnecessary heartache reliving these memories during the trial. It is our sincere hope that they feel justice was done today. We thank the jury members who took time out of their busy lives to give their attention to this case."
Sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2023 in Hartford Superior Court.