A former Hartford police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Steven “Stevie” Jones returned to court in Connecticut as attorneys indicated expert reports are expected in the case.
Joseph Magnano has not entered a plea, but his attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, said Magnano will plead not guilty when the court requires it.
“All day every day there will be a not guilty plea when the court requires it,” Tomasiewicz said.
Magnano is charged in Jones’ death on Blue Hills Avenue in Hartford in February.
Police body camera video shows officers at the scene trying to convince Jones to drop a knife. According to investigators, Magnano was the last officer to arrive and shot Jones nine times less than a minute after arriving.
Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott said the state expects to disclose an expert report in the coming weeks.
“The state will be disclosing a report, an expert report sometime in the next month or so,” Prescott said.
The defense is also in the process of retaining experts.
“At the very minimum you are looking to retain a use of force expert, but I can’t elaborate beyond that,” Tomasiewicz said.
Magnano was fired by the city shortly after the shooting. Hartford Police Union President James Rutkauski has been critical of the city and the arrest warrant. The union has filed formal grievances regarding Magnano’s firing.
Rutkauski said the pace of the case and the prospect of a lengthy legal battle are taking a toll.
“The hardest part of any of this is waiting,” Rutkauski said.
Tomasiewicz said the pace of the case reflects work taking place behind the scenes as the defense prepares for future hearings.
“By November, you’ll see a change in the status of this matter,” Tomasiewicz said.
