A Connecticut man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison in connection to a car crash that killed a Hartford police officer and seriously injured his partner.
Richard Barrington, 20, pleaded guilty in April to manslaughter and other charges for causing the crash that killed 34-year-old Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten in September 2023.
Investigators say Barrington, then an 18-year-old high school student, was fleeing a traffic stop conducted by other Hartford officers when he ran two red lights and slammed into the police cruiser driven by Officer Brian Kearney, with Garten in the passenger seat.
Garten died from his injuries, while Kearney was hospitalized with serious injuries but was later released.
On Friday, Barrington apologized for “all the days, months and years of pain and grief that I’ve caused and [am] currently causing,” saying, “No mother, father, sibling, kid or friend should have to endure the pain and grief you are enduring.”
Judge David P. Gold, who condemned what he described as Barrington’s “shockingly reckless conduct,” sentenced him to a total of 30 years, with 16 years to be served in prison and the remaining 14 years suspended, CT Insider reported.
Following his release, he’ll be placed on probation for five years.
Members of the victim’s family, who had sought a sentence of at least 40 years, expressed deep disappointment with the ruling.
“This is it? This is what Mr. Barrington gets for killing my brother?” William Garten told reporters. “That’s the end of this kind of story, and we’ll have to continue to honor Bobby in some other way because today we let him down.”
Shortly before learning his fate, Barrington addressed the family in the courtroom to express his remorse.
“I know I can’t bring back Officer Bobby Garden or heal Officer Brian Kearney back to full health,” he read from prepared remarks. “But I want you to know that if there’s anything I can do to give you that closure, I’m here for that — so please don’t hesitate to reach me.”
With News Wire Services
