Man charged with manslaughter in crash was convicted in 1989 shooting death

Friends of a Bridgeport man who was shot to death in 1989 say they're grateful the man convicted in that killing has been arrested in connection with a second manslaughter that happened this New Year's Day.

News 12 Staff

Jan 4, 2020, 5:35 PM

Updated 1,572 days ago

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Friends of a Bridgeport man who was shot to death in 1989 say they're grateful the man convicted in that killing has been arrested in connection with a second manslaughter that happened this New Year's Day.
Keith Commerford, of Bridgeport, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in connection with the death of Peter Tsimbidaros, a prominent local attorney.
Police say Commerford was driving the car that crashed into the Honda CRV Tsimbidaros was driving on Fairfield Avenue New Year's Day.
In 1989, Commerford shot and killed University of Bridgeport student Lenny Massa. Massa's longtime best friend, Andrew Fidelman, says he remembers Commerford, who was then 19, shooting his friend. Fidelman says his friend was trying to stop Commerford after he shot another person moments earlier.
"He stole a larger-than-life figure from so many people back then and did the same thing again when he killed Mr. Tsimbidaros on the first day of the new year," said Fidelman.
Fidelman says he's happy that Commerford is being held accountable for this new crime Commerford allegedly committed.
"Grateful he will be off the streets and back in prison where he belongs," said Fidelman. "This is the second time he killed an innocent person, and hopefully justice will be served. In 1989, he shot and killed my best friend, Lennie Massa, in Bridgeport Connecticut, and his latest crime brought back the pain and anguish suffered at his hands 31 years ago."
Commerford is being held on a $500,000 bond.


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