Man Jailed in ‘Shakespearean’ Slaying

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A lawyer who stabbed his neighbor to death because he thought the man had molested his 2-year-old daughter was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter.“It’s a Shakespearean tragedy brought into the real world,” Judge Richard Comerford said at the sentencing. “Something was set into motion in this man’s mind – real or perceived. It was very real to him.”Jonathon Edington, 29, attacked neighbor Barry James in the man’s bedroom last year after his wife told him she thought James had molested their daughter. Officers said they found Edington washing the victim’s blood off in a kitchen sink.Fairfield police also investigated the molestation allegation and said they found no evidence to back it up. They said Edington’s wife, Christina, refused to cooperate with the investigation into the slaying, and prosecutor Jonathan Benedict has said a defense psychiatrist determined Edington’s wife suffered from postpartum depression.Defense attorney Andrew Bowman said his client was not in his right mind when he attacked James.“He is a good and decent man who suffered such a traumatic event in his life that he lost control,” Mr. Bowman said.Edington and his wife entered court holding hands. After the sentence was read, Edington, who had been free on bond, was handcuffed and led away as Christina Edington fell to her knees. The judge issued a 20-year sentence, but suspended eight years of that, leaving 12 years to serve, plus five years probation.James’ parents, Rita and Charlie James, filed a victims’ statement with the court saying, “We will never be the same.”“A terrible tragedy has happened for nothing, but it has destroyed all that we have,” they wrote.Also today, an attorney for the Jameses served Christina Edington with a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing her of triggering the stabbing and making up the abuse claim. A similar lawsuit is pending against Edington.Christina Edington did not comment as she left the courthouse.

Man Jailed in ‘Shakespearean’ Slaying

Man Jailed in ‘Shakespearean’ Slaying

More from the New York Sun

Oasis: The Wonderwall of It All Before It Went Wrong

Jury Finds New York Times Defamed Former Alabama Basketball Player in Shooting Coverage

Longtime Seattle Times Sports Columnist Quits Over Paper Refused To Run His Sophie Cunningham Column

American-South Korea War Games End With Blast of Rhetoric From Kim Jong-un’s Sister and North Korean Missile Tests

Michael Cohen Teases Interview With Trump, Playing Clip of Him Calling Former Foe ‘Sir’ and ‘Boss’

Could James Comey’s Hobby as a Novelist Backfire and Help Convict Him for ‘86 47’ Threat Against Trump?

Court To Rule on Seattle Mayor Recall Petition as Residents Decry Public Safety Plan

Gold-Standard Election Forecasters Move Texas and Iowa Senate Races to ‘Toss Up’ Category

More from the New York Sun

Oasis: The Wonderwall of It All Before It Went Wrong

Jury Finds New York Times Defamed Former Alabama Basketball Player in Shooting Coverage

Longtime Seattle Times Sports Columnist Quits Over Paper Refused To Run His Sophie Cunningham Column

American-South Korea War Games End With Blast of Rhetoric From Kim Jong-un’s Sister and North Korean Missile Tests

Michael Cohen Teases Interview With Trump, Playing Clip of Him Calling Former Foe ‘Sir’ and ‘Boss’

Could James Comey’s Hobby as a Novelist Backfire and Help Convict Him for ‘86 47’ Threat Against Trump?

Court To Rule on Seattle Mayor Recall Petition as Residents Decry Public Safety Plan

Gold-Standard Election Forecasters Move Texas and Iowa Senate Races to ‘Toss Up’ Category