Press Releases
04/23/2024
Judge Sentences Yamil Rohena to 45 Years in Prison for the 2020 Murder of Kwadir Paris in Hartford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) - Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Nuala E. Droney today sentenced Yamil Rohena, age 28, of Hartford, to 45 years in prison for the 2020 fatal shooting of Kwadir Paris, age 27, in Hartford.
A Hartford Superior Court jury on January 12, 2024, found Rohena guilty of the crime of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a. In a separate proceeding outside the presence of the jury on the same day, Judge Droney found the defendant guilty of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217(a)(1), and in violation of his probation stemming from an Assault in the First Degree conviction from 2017.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on January 4, 2020, the victim was shot at six times by the defendant in front of his home on Martin Street. During the presentation of evidence, prosecutors displayed footage from the City of Hartford cameras as well as private residence surveillance, which captured the moments of the shooting and the defendant leaving the crime scene. Witnesses at trial also identified Rohena as the shooter.
During sentencing remarks, Judge Droney spoke about the senseless nature of the crime and the impact that gun violence has had on the city of Hartford and the families who reside there.
“I am thankful for Judge Droney’s comments at sentencing about how this senseless act of violence not only impacted the family of Mr. Paris but also affected the entire community,” State’s Attorney Walcott said. “It’s important that the system recognizes and addresses the lasting impact violent crime has on our communities. I also would like to express my gratitude to the dedicated prosecution team, led by Attorneys Cox and Davis, who brought this case to justice.”
This case was prosecuted by Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Stacey Cox and Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Davis, with the assistance of Inspector Luis Rodriguez and Paralegal Specialist Kelly De La Cruz. The Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office would also like to express gratitude to the Hartford Police Department for their investigative efforts in this case.