ATTORNEY JOHN Q. KELLY
“You are allowed to use reasonable force to protect yourself and your family from bodily harm,” Kelly commented.
GREENWICH, Conn. (PRWEB)
September 09, 2019
Connecticut banker Scott Hapgood is accused of manslaughter in connection with the death of hotel maintenance worker Kenny Mitchel. (Gavin Scott Hapgood v Regina in the Courts of Anguilla CLAIM No. AXAHCV 2019/0018) Hapgood has told authorities that Mitchel came to his hotel room door on April 13 at the Malliouhana An Auberge resort on the island of Anguilla, wielded a knife, tried to rob him, and threatened his daughter. Hapgood then used reasonable force to restrain him.
The ensuing confrontation and struggle left Mitchel dead and Hapgood bloodied and bruised. “You are allowed to use reasonable force to protect yourself and your family from bodily harm,” Kelly commented.
According to Kelly, there are three main issues that are going to prove important in the trial. One will be the autopsy, or what actually caused Mitchel’s death. The Fox News interview with Kelly (https://video.foxnews.com/v/6075825576001/#sp=show-clips), which aired on Aug. 22, 2019, reported that Hapgood’s attorney said toxicology results show Mitchel had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of death, which may have caused him to act in a “frenzied” manner or may have been a contributing factor in his death. (https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Report-Man-allegedly-killed-by-Darien-man-had-14341909.php) Second, the processing of the crime scene will play an important role in the trial. Third, determining whether witness statements were written down properly or videotaped, signed, and otherwise recorded accurately.
When asked if he thinks Hapgood can receive a fair trial, Kelly said it is hard to tell that ahead of time. Factors which will affect the outcome include the judge assigned to the case, the way in which the jury deliberates and how the prosecutor presents his evidence. Kelly also noted that the media portrayal of the case and any possible bias can also impact the trial.
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