Vernon police have arrested eight people in connection with a stabbing that forced officers to transport the victim to the hospital on the hood of a cruiser last week. One of them is the victim.
They refused to take responsibility for a brawl that led to a stabbing last week, and made that more than clear to the judge.
“What police did was a big mix-up, they made a mistake and they turned it into our fault, they made a mistake,” said one of the suspects.
There was outrage in the Vernon courtroom as the eight suspects got arraigned. “I just want to know when the real story is going to come out,” another suspect added.
They were just taken into custody after police said they started a dangerous riot last week outside a smoke shop near Union and Ward.
“I just want to know how I got arrested for helping someone who got stabbed. That what I want to know,” a third suspect exclaimed.
Police said they feared it would take an ambulance too long to arrive and bring Robert Haskell, 20, of Broad Brook, 300 yards for medical help.
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Police received several 911 calls just before midnight, reporting a large fight involving about 30 people at Union and Ward streets in the Rockville section of Vernon.
Officers who were around the corner, investigating a burglary arrived within 30 seconds and found Haskell on the sidewalk in front of 22 Ward St. with a stab wound to his chest, police said.
“He does require some medical attention because of his stab wound,” a lawyer said, as Haskell faced a judge today. He was also arrested in connection to the fight. A fight this group refused to take responsibility for.
“I didn’t assault anyone so why am I arrested?” a suspect questioned.
Haskell lost a large amount of blood, so emergency crews immediately began to treat him.
Police called for an ambulance, but it would be responding from Manchester, so they placed Haskell on the hood of a cruiser and an officer walked along beside the car for 300 yards, until they reached the emergency room at Rockville General Hospital.
Police said they could not lay Haskell down on the hard plastic molded seats and stop the bleeding.
Officers said a crowd began to gather at the scene and said several residents followed the cruiser to the emergency room, disrupting the emergency treatment for Haskell.
Police said they asked Malcolm Atwater, 46, of East Hartford, and Generio Jones, 21, of Vernon, to leave, several times, but they interfered with the officers and emergency room staff and were arrested.
Atwater, also known as Malik Atwater, of East Hartford, and Jones, also known as "G," of Rockville, were charged with rioting in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawful assembly, assault third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Haskell, also known as "T," was later transported to Hartford Hospital and eventually released. He has been charged with rioting in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawful assembly, third--degree assault, attempt to commit assault in the second degree, false statement in the second degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Police said Haskell had charged at another man at Union and Ward streets, assaulted him and the man stabbed him in the chest.
Friends said the man who stabbed Haskell had come around looking for drugs. They said they didn't have any, he started acting crazy and stabbed Haskell.
Lisa Gilbert, 40, of Rockville, has been charged with attempt to possess narcotics, attempt to sell narcotics and larceny in the sixth degree.
Kelly Goding, of Rockville, and Kristina Kloo, 22, of Rockville, were charged with rioting in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawful assembly, assault in the third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Joseph H. King 3rd, 22, was charged with rioting in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit assault in the third degree, attempt to commit assault in the third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Sylvester "Frank" Gillespie, 40, of Vernon, was charged with rioting in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlawful assembly, criminal attempt to commit assault in the second degree, conspiracy to commit assault in the third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
Police told NBC Connecticut they had no doubt these eight people were responsible, because surveillance cameras at the scene caught everything, and investigators took a close look at the video and identified everyone involved.
In court, lawyers said this was a drug related issue, but police were still being tight lipped about the circumstances on Friday.
All suspects were held in lieu of court set bonds and are due in court in Rockville on Friday, April 27. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected, police said.
The warrants have been sealed for 14 days.
