New Fairfield man asks Connecticut Supreme Court for new manslaughter trial
In May 2022, Patrick Griffin stabbed his best friend James Knapp in the chest during an alcohol-fueled argument in New Fairfield. Griffin has insisted that he acted in self-defense.
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The Connecticut Supreme Court is reviewing a high-profile manslaughter case.
Patrick Griffin and his legal team argued Thursday for a new trial.
In May 2022, Griffin stabbed his best friend James Knapp in the chest during an alcohol-fueled argument in New Fairfield. Griffin has insisted that he acted in self-defense.
Close to a year later, the 59-year-old was convicted.
Griffin and his lawyer have claimed that the jury received bad instructions.
"The trial court's unwarranted and ambiguous 'pre-emptive strike' instruction possibly misled the jury on the law of self-defense," said Mallori Thompson, Griffin's attorney.
