FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Vernon, CT) – Matthew C. Gedansky, Tolland State’s Attorney, announced that Trenton Merrill, 19, of Vernon, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for the August 27, 2020 assault and attempted shooting of a juvenile victim in the Rockville section of Vernon.
Merrill pleaded guilty in Rockville Superior Court to charges of Conspiracy to Commit Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-49/§53a-59, Carrying a Pistol without a Permit in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-35, and Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 29-38.
The August 27, 2020 assault was one of a series of escalating violent interactions between two groups of young people in Rockville at the time. Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Vernon Police Department spanning 2019 through 2021, police arrested 15 individuals in connection with multiple stabbings, assaults and shootings. The defendants were presented in Rockville Superior Court, with additional juveniles charged in Rockville Juvenile Court.
The remaining defendants’ criminal cases are pending. All of these cases are being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Jaclyn Preville.