Five More Arrested in I-384 Murders

Updated 7:52 AM EDT, Thu, Jan 15, 2009

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WVIT

Police have arrested five more people in connection with the grisly deaths of two Connecticut men, whose bodies were found along highways in June.

In June, police charged Jokshan Bryant, 30, of New Britain, in the murders of Ronald Brown, 42, of Bristol and Eric Kimberley, 37, of Torrington.

The investigation into the murders started on June 22, when a driver reported a body on the shoulder of Interstate 384 in Manchester. The body was that of Brown. About two hours later, police found Kimberley’s body on I-384 in Bolton.

According to court papers, the murders took place at S.L.S. Transport in Bristol, where Bryant argued with Brown and admitted shooting him. He also admitted killing Kimberly, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, according to witnesses. Prosecutors said Bryant also confessed to dumping the bodies along the interstate in Bolton and Manchester.

Police filed the additional warrants on Tuesday night, into the early hours of Wednesday.

Police charged Steven Manocchio, 42, of Bristol, with two counts of murder. Manocchio was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder, hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence, conspiracy to hinder prosecution and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Court papers show Manocchio knew about Bryant's plan to kill Brown and did not call police or try to stop him. Bryant and Brown were rival drug dealers, according to police. During the ordeal, Manacchio grabbed Brown to keep him from getting away and also tried to suffocate Kimberly when he did not immediately die, said police.

Tammy Marin, 40, of Bristol, was charged with tampering with physical evidence, hindering prosecution, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and conspiracy to hinder prosecution. Marin was the girlfriend of both Bryant and Brown, said police. According to court papers, she helped with the cleanup, and also called Brown before the crimes to let him know she was with Bryant at S.L.S. Transport. She told police she had no idea he would show up there.

Michael Bondi, 40, of West Haven, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence and conspiracy to hinder prosecution.

Jason Protinick, 32, of West Haven, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence and conspiracy to hinder prosecution.

Susanne Wallace, 34, of Bristol, was charged with tampering with physical evidence, hindering prosecution, conspiracy to hinder prosecution and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

All five are were arraigned Wednesday afternoon and are due back in court later this month.

A warrant was issued for another person who is in prison in Florida, police said. Once released from Florida custody, the accused will be returned to Connecticut to be arrested for charges related to this case, police said.