FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) – Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott announced that Damond Bester was convicted today of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-217.
Bester, 46, of Bloomfield, was convicted following a trial in Hartford Superior Court before the Honorable Kevin C. Doyle. Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2023.
Bester’s conviction follows his arrest in connection with the June 25, 2018 fatal shooting in Hartford of William Smalls, 53, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head, neck, chest and arm. Gunshot residue found on Bester’s clothing, cell phone tower records and witnesses presented at trial tied Bester to the murder.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Robin Krawczyk and Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle O’Connell. The prosecutors wish to extend their gratitude to the Hartford Police Department and members of the Cold Case Unit for the assistance they provided in this case.