gerace-and-cavallari

Attorney William Gerace Featured in HBO's "The Cheshire Murders"

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:30:44 GMT

Hartford Defense Attorney William Gerace Appears in HBO Documentary Films' "The Cheshire Murders"

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace, founding attorney of Gerace & Cavallari LLC in Hartford, appears on camera in "The Cheshire Murders," a 2013 documentary produced by HBO Documentary Films. The film examines the July 2007 Cheshire, Connecticut home invasion — one of the most closely followed criminal cases in state history — and the capital trials that followed.

Gerace is credited in the film as the former defense attorney of Joshua Komisarjevsky, one of the two men convicted in the case. Metacritic's official cast listing for the film specifically credits Gerace in that role and identifies the production company as HBO Documentary Films.

Gerace's Role in the Documentary

Years before the Cheshire case, Gerace represented Joshua Komisarjevsky in earlier burglary proceedings in Connecticut. In the documentary, Gerace speaks from that firsthand professional vantage point — offering the filmmakers, and viewers nationwide, insight that few others could provide.

His on-camera contribution reflects the kind of perspective that comes only from decades inside Connecticut's criminal courtrooms. Practicing since 1985, Gerace has handled hundreds of criminal trials across the state, from misdemeanors to the most serious Part A felony matters, and holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating.

CNN Broadcast of the HBO Documentary

Following its HBO premiere, CNN broadcast "The Cheshire Murders" as a network special on August 24, 2013 , bringing the film — and Gerace's interview — to an even wider national audience.

The CNN broadcast transcript contains an extensive on-camera interview with Gerace, in which he discusses Komisarjevsky's earlier burglary cases, his intelligence and behavior, and the warnings Gerace says he raised during those earlier proceedings.

Why National Media Turn to Attorney Gerace

National outlets seek out attorneys whose courtroom experience gives them genuine authority on complex criminal matters. Gerace's appearance in an HBO Documentary Films production — subsequently aired on CNN — is one of several national and Connecticut media appearances for the firm, which has also been featured by outlets including CBS News / 48 Hours, NBC Connecticut, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register.

For people in Hartford and across Connecticut facing serious criminal charges, that recognition reflects something practical: a defense attorney who has spent more than 35 years trying serious felony cases in Connecticut courtrooms. You can learn more about the firm's history on our About Us page.

Watch and Read the Original Sources

The documentary and its coverage are available directly from the original sources:

Watch "The Cheshire Murders" on HBO — the official HBO Documentary Films page.
View the official cast listing on Metacritic — crediting William Gerace as Joshua Komisarjevsky's former defense attorney.

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in CBS News' 48 Hours

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:30:41 GMT

Attorney William Gerace Interviewed in CBS News' 48 Hours Episode on the Murder of Yale Student Kevin Jiang

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace, founding attorney of Gerace & Cavallari LLC in Hartford, was interviewed exclusively for the January 25, 2025 episode of CBS News' 48 Hours , which examined the murder of Yale graduate student Kevin Jiang by Qinxuan Pan. The program aired on CBS and streamed through Paramount+.

In its official announcement of the episode, CBS described Gerace as Pan's one-time attorney and included his firsthand assessment of Pan's unusual intelligence — perspective drawn directly from Gerace's professional experience with the case.

Gerace's Role in the 48 Hours Broadcast

48 Hours is one of the longest-running and most respected true-crime news programs on American television, and its producers turn to sources with genuine, firsthand knowledge of the cases they cover. For this episode — which CBS's official release describes as the story of how an MIT graduate orchestrated the murder of a Yale graduate student and nearly got away with it — that meant sitting down with Gerace.

As Pan's one-time attorney, Gerace brought a perspective no outside commentator could offer. His exclusive interview gave the national CBS audience insight into Pan's unusual intelligence, informed by decades of representing clients in Connecticut's most serious criminal matters.

Where the Episode Aired

The episode premiered on the CBS television network on Saturday, January 25, 2025, and streamed on Paramount+. CBS also distributed the program through its broader platforms, including CBSNews.com, CBS News 24/7, YouTube, and Pluto TV — extending the reach of the broadcast, and Gerace's interview, to viewers nationwide.

A Pattern of National Media Recognition

The 48 Hours interview is one of several national media appearances for Gerace, whose commentary and casework have also been featured by HBO, CNN, NBC Connecticut, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. National news organizations seek out attorneys whose courtroom experience gives them true authority — and Gerace has been trying criminal cases in Connecticut since 1985, earning a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating along the way.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Watch and Read the Original Source

CBS's official announcement of the episode, including its description of Gerace's exclusive interview, is available directly from Paramount Press Express:

Read the Full Official CBS Release — "Brilliance Turned Deadly: How an MIT genius orchestrated the murder of a Yale graduate student — and almost got away with it" (Paramount Press Express).

The full episode is available to stream on Paramount+ .

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in WFSB West Hartford Case Coverage

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:45:28 GMT

West Hartford, Connecticut — When an 83-year-old West Hartford woman faced a judge on charges connected to a fatal pedestrian crash, WFSB turned to Hartford defense attorney William Gerace, who represented her at the hearing. The April 2025 case, arising from a November 2024 collision that claimed the life of 87-year-old Patricia Brulotte, illustrates the kind of complex, multi-vehicle accident case where a defense attorney's grasp of the physical evidence can be decisive.

William Gerace's Role in the Case

According to WFSB's reporting, the defendant was charged with evading responsibility and failure to exercise reasonable care near a vulnerable user on a public way, following a two-vehicle incident in which Brulotte was struck by a first car that remained at the scene, then by the defendant's car, which did not stop. Gerace, representing the defendant, argued that his client had no idea she had been involved in the crash. "This lady's 84-years-old. She never got a traffic ticket," Gerace told WFSB.

Gerace also described the physical mechanics of the collision as he understood them from the defense's investigation, and cited data from his client's smartwatch showing no elevated heart rate on her drive home, reasoning that a panicked reaction would likely have registered had she known what happened. "She's an innocent woman. It's a travesty that she's been arrested," Gerace said.

Context: A Case Built on Physical and Digital Evidence

Crash reconstruction cases like this one often turn on technical, physical evidence — vehicle damage patterns, witness statements, and, increasingly, data from personal devices. Gerace's use of his client's smartwatch heart-rate data to support her account is an example of the kind of resourceful, evidence-driven advocacy that defines a trial-ready defense in vehicular cases, where the central legal question is often what a defendant knew and when.

Media Recognition: A Firm Sought Out for Complex Cases

WFSB's coverage of this case adds to a long list of appearances by William Gerace in Connecticut and national media, including NBC Connecticut, FOX61, CT Insider, CBS News' 48 Hours, and HBO. That track record reflects Gerace & Cavallari's reputation for taking on complex, evidence-heavy cases that other firms might not have the resources to fully investigate.

Read the Original Source

WFSB: "Elderly woman arrested for West Hartford hit-and-run faces judge"

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

Evading responsibility and vulnerable-user charges can carry serious consequences even when the facts are genuinely disputed. Gerace & Cavallari LLC has represented Connecticut clients in complex vehicular and felony cases for nearly 40 years. Contact Gerace & Cavallari today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in WFSB New Hartford Case Coverage

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:45:16 GMT

New Hartford, Connecticut — When a New Hartford man was arraigned on charges connected to his wife's death, WFSB's Eyewitness News turned to Hartford defense attorney William Gerace for comment outside the courtroom. The case, which drew local television coverage in October 2023, put Gerace in the position familiar to any serious felony defense lawyer: representing a client at the earliest and most difficult stage of a criminal case, before the facts have been tested at trial.

William Gerace's Role in the Case

According to WFSB's report, the defendant was charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, criminal possession of a firearm, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, and was held on a $3 million bond. Gerace, representing him at arraignment, argued publicly that the bond was excessive. "I'm shocked and dismayed that he's in this predicament," Gerace told WFSB.

Gerace also spoke to his client's background for the court and the press, noting a history of struggles with substance use and unrelated pending matters, while emphasizing the shock of the allegations given his client's more recent circumstances. "He's an affable, gregarious guy, and what happened here I just can't explain, I don't know yet," Gerace said.

Context: Defending a Client at Arraignment

Bond arguments at arraignment are often the first real test of a defense attorney's advocacy in a serious felony case — long before a jury is ever seated. Attorneys must weigh a client's ties to the community, criminal history, and the nature of the charges, all under intense public and media scrutiny. Gerace's willingness to speak candidly to WFSB about a difficult case, rather than decline comment, reflects the trial-ready, transparent approach that has defined his nearly four-decade career defending clients across Connecticut.

Media Recognition: Consistent Coverage of High-Stakes Defense Work

WFSB's coverage of this case adds to a long list of Connecticut and national outlets that have turned to William Gerace for comment in serious felony matters, including NBC Connecticut, FOX61, CT Insider, CBS News' 48 Hours, and HBO. That track record reflects the firm's standing as go-to trial counsel for clients facing the most serious charges in the state.

Read the Original Source

WFSB: "New Hartford man accused of killing his wife"

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

When someone is facing the most serious charges the state can bring, an experienced trial attorney at their side from day one can make all the difference. Gerace & Cavallari LLC has represented Hartford-area clients in high-stakes felony cases for nearly 40 years. Contact Gerace & Cavallari today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in CT Insider Waterbury Plea Coverage

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:44:00 GMT

CT Insider Reports on Attorney William Gerace's Role in Waterbury Manslaughter Plea Negotiations

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC is featured in CT Insider's reporting on a closely watched Waterbury homicide prosecution. In an article by CT Insider staff writer Bruno Matarazzo Jr., published September 18, 2025 , and headlined "Manslaughter plea offered in 2023 death of Waterbury eye doctor," Gerace is identified as the defense attorney whose pre-trial work with prosecutors preceded a significant plea offer for his client.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the CT Insider report, Gerace represents David Rogers, who was initially charged with murder, first-degree strangulation, first-degree criminal mischief, and sixth-degree larceny in connection with the August 2023 death of 62-year-old Waterbury optometrist James Anthony Ciccarelli, whose death was later ruled a homicide by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Per the report, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Don E. Therkildsen said the state made a plea offer that includes first-degree manslaughter — rather than the original murder charge — after pre-trying the case with defense attorney William Gerace. Therkildsen also said he and the victim's advocate met with the victim's family to explain the plea agreement and that the family was not objecting. The report notes Rogers was due to decide whether to accept the offer at his next court date on November 4.

Why Pre-Trial Negotiation Matters in Murder Cases

The difference between a murder conviction and a first-degree manslaughter resolution in Connecticut can amount to decades of a person's life. Pre-trying a case — sitting down with prosecutors and, often, a judge to test the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence before trial — is where an experienced defense attorney can shape that outcome. The coverage reflects Gerace engaged in exactly that process in one of Waterbury's most serious pending prosecutions.

It is the quieter side of criminal defense: not every result happens in front of a jury, and skilled negotiation grounded in genuine trial readiness is frequently what moves a prosecutor's position.

Decades of Statewide and National Media Recognition

The 2025 CT Insider coverage is the latest entry in a long record of media attention to Gerace's casework in Connecticut's most serious prosecutions. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, NBC Connecticut, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut, including Part A felony matters.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original CT Insider report is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on CT Insider — "Manslaughter plea offered in 2023 death of Waterbury eye doctor" (September 18, 2025).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing murder, manslaughter, or other Part A felony charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in WFSB Farmington Case Coverage

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:45:53 GMT

Farmington, Connecticut — When a Farmington teenager was charged with manslaughter following a fatal motorcycle collision, WFSB turned to Hartford defense attorney William Gerace, who represented her at her arraignment. The March 2025 case, involving the death of motorcyclist Justin Gittings, is among the more emotionally difficult matters Gerace has handled in recent years, and one that drew significant local news coverage.

William Gerace's Role in the Case

According to WFSB's reporting, the defendant was charged with manslaughter, assault, and reckless driving after a August 2024 crash on Route 4 in Farmington, and pleaded not guilty. Gerace, representing her at arraignment, spoke to the court and press about his client's background and state of mind following the crash. "This lady has a pristine record. She's remorseful. She's in therapy," Gerace told WFSB, describing his client as someone the court could evaluate on the totality of her circumstances rather than the charges alone.

The case remains pending, and as reported, the defense's position is that the collision was accidental rather than the product of the recklessness alleged by the state.

Context: Advocating for a Client in a High-Emotion Case

Vehicular manslaughter cases involving a fatality are among the most difficult a defense attorney can handle — they require balancing genuine compassion for a grieving family with an unwavering duty to advocate for the accused. Gerace's public statements focused on his client's remorse and rehabilitation efforts, laying groundwork that is often central to sentencing and disposition discussions in these cases, regardless of how a case ultimately resolves.

Media Recognition: Trusted Counsel in Connecticut's Most Difficult Cases

WFSB's coverage of this arraignment is one of many instances of William Gerace's work drawing attention from Connecticut and national media, including NBC Connecticut, FOX61, CT Insider, CBS News' 48 Hours, and HBO. That consistent presence reflects Gerace & Cavallari's standing as trial-ready counsel for clients facing the most consequential charges in the state.

Read the Original Source

WFSB: "EXCLUSIVE: High schooler charged with manslaughter after hitting man on motorcycle"

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

Manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges carry life-altering consequences, and a thoughtful, thorough defense matters at every stage of the case. Gerace & Cavallari LLC has guided Hartford-area clients through Connecticut's most serious felony proceedings for nearly 40 years. Contact Gerace & Cavallari today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in WFSB Manchester Case Coverage

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 12:15:17 GMT

Manchester, Connecticut — When a Manchester house-party incident turned into a felony assault case, WFSB's Eyewitness News covered the arraignment and turned to defense attorney William Gerace for the other side of the story. The case, which drew coverage over two nights in September 2022, illustrates how quickly a defense attorney must move to challenge the state's narrative in a high-profile arrest.

William Gerace's Role in the Case

According to WFSB's reporting, the defendant was charged with first-degree assault, multiple counts of criminal attempt at first-degree assault, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, multiple counts of risk of injury to a minor, carrying a pistol without a permit, and evading responsibility, after an incident involving a group of teenagers near his home. Bond was set at $1 million.

Gerace, representing the defendant, publicly challenged the state's characterization of events, pointing to Ring doorbell footage he said told a different story than prosecutors described. "There's significant video evidence here," Gerace told WFSB, adding that the footage showed the teenagers at his client's front door rather than inside the home, as he put it: "The ring doorbell obviously is attached to the front door. They had no business being at the front door."

Context: Contesting the Narrative Early

In cases involving alleged self-defense or defense-of-property claims, the earliest public statements by counsel can shape how a case is understood well before any evidence is tested in court. Gerace's decision to speak on the record and point to specific video evidence, rather than decline comment, reflects a trial-ready posture: laying out the defense's theory of the case from the outset rather than waiting for trial.

Media Recognition: A Defense Attorney Frequently Sought for Comment

This WFSB segment is one of many instances of William Gerace speaking on the record for Connecticut and national media covering serious felony cases, including NBC Connecticut, FOX61, CT Insider, CBS News' 48 Hours, and HBO. That consistent visibility underscores the firm's role as trial-ready counsel willing to publicly contest the state's version of events.

Read the Original Source

WFSB: "Manchester Police arrest man for shooting teen, running down another with car"

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

When facing serious felony charges, having an attorney who will actively investigate and present contrary evidence — not simply accept the state's version of events — matters from day one. Gerace & Cavallari LLC has defended Connecticut clients in serious felony cases for nearly 40 years. Contact Gerace & Cavallari today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in FOX61 Cold Case Sentencing Coverage

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:44:45 GMT

FOX61 Features Attorney William Gerace at Sentencing in Hartford Cold Case Trial

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC was featured in FOX61's courtroom coverage of the sentencing in one of Hartford's most closely followed cold case prosecutions. In the report, published July 24, 2019 , and headlined "Justice delayed but not denied as cold case double murder suspect gets 100 years behind bars," Gerace is identified and quoted as the defense attorney for Harold Patterson.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the FOX61 report, Patterson was convicted in the 2008 shooting deaths of two men on Edwards Street in Hartford — a case that went unsolved for years before it was prosecuted — and was sentenced to a total of 100 years, out of a possible 120.

Speaking to FOX61, Gerace made clear his client's position had not changed: Patterson, he said, "vehemently proclaims his innocence." Gerace also raised a pointed concern about the reliability of cold case prosecutions, telling the station, "The cold case gave time to incubate a conspiracy." Per the report, Gerace said Patterson planned to appeal the sentence.

What This Coverage Illustrates

A defense attorney's responsibility does not end with a verdict. In the highest-stakes cases, it continues through sentencing and into the appellate process — challenging the evidence, preserving the record, and giving voice to a client who maintains his innocence even after conviction. That is the role FOX61 captured Gerace performing in this coverage.

Cold case prosecutions present distinctive challenges: witnesses' memories fade, evidence ages, and years can pass between the events and the trial. An attorney experienced in these cases understands how to scrutinize decades-old evidence and hold the state to its burden of proof.

Decades of Statewide and National Media Recognition

The 2019 FOX61 coverage is part of a long record of media attention to Gerace's casework in Connecticut's most serious prosecutions. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, NBC Connecticut, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut, including Part A felony matters.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original FOX61 report is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on FOX61 — "Justice delayed but not denied as cold case double murder suspect gets 100 years behind bars" (July 24, 2019).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing murder charges, a cold case prosecution, or an appeal anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in NBC Connecticut Griswold Case Coverage

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 20:36:45 GMT

NBC Connecticut Features Attorney William Gerace as Defense Counsel in Griswold Triple Homicide Case

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC was featured in NBC Connecticut's coverage of one of the most serious criminal prosecutions in recent Connecticut history. In an Associated Press report published by NBC Connecticut on June 4, 2018 , headlined "Second Person Charged in Griswold Triple Killings," Gerace is quoted as the defense attorney for Sergio Correa of Hartford, following Correa's arrest in connection with the December 2017 deaths of a Griswold couple and their son.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the NBC Connecticut report, police arrested 26-year-old Sergio Correa weeks after arresting his sister, Ruth Correa, and charged him with three counts of felony murder, home invasion, first-degree robbery, and arson in the first and second degree in connection with the deaths of Kenneth, Janet, and Matthew Lindquist on December 20, 2017. Bond was set at $3 million, and per the report he was due in court in New London on July 9.

Speaking to the press the day of the arraignment, Gerace made clear that his client maintained his innocence and questioned the reliability of statements his client's sister had given to police. "He says his sister's lying. I'm going with what he says at this moment," Gerace said, as reported by NBC Connecticut. "He wants a fair trial. That's all he's asking for. It's a gruesome case, as everybody knows, and we're going to do our best with what we have."

What This Coverage Illustrates

Few assignments in criminal law are more demanding than defending a client charged with felony murder in a case the entire state is following. Gerace's statement to NBC Connecticut captures the essence of that responsibility: acknowledging the gravity of the case honestly while insisting on the one thing the Constitution guarantees every accused person — a fair trial.

Part A felonies — Connecticut's most serious criminal charges, including murder and home invasion — demand an attorney with genuine trial experience and the composure to advocate under intense public scrutiny. This coverage reflects the trust placed in Gerace to handle exactly those cases.

Decades of Statewide and National Media Recognition

The 2018 NBC Connecticut coverage joins a long record of media attention to Gerace's casework in Connecticut's highest-profile prosecutions. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original Associated Press report, as published by NBC Connecticut, is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on NBC Connecticut — "Second Person Charged in Griswold Triple Killings" (June 4, 2018).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing murder, home invasion, or other Part A felony charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in FOX61 Coverage of Hartford Case

Tue, 07 Jul 2015 12:17:10 GMT

Hartford, Connecticut — A Superior Court jury verdict in a Hartford-area murder case drew wire-service coverage that was picked up by FOX61, with Hartford criminal defense attorney William T. Gerace representing the defendant at trial. The case, tried in New Milford, centered on a fatal shooting in a charter school parking lot and the question of what role, if any, the defendant played in it.

William Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the Associated Press report carried by FOX61, a Superior Court jury found the defendant guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and being an accessory to murder, in connection with the shooting death of another man. The victim's family said he had been targeted following an earlier robbery. Prosecutors argued the defendant helped track down the victim on the day of the shooting.

Gerace, representing the defendant at trial, argued that his client played no role in the killing. As reported, "Defense attorney William Gerace argued that his client played no role in the killing." That single line captures the core of Gerace's defense: a straightforward denial of participation in the underlying crime, pressed all the way to a jury verdict.

Context: A Case Built on Circumstantial Ties

The case illustrates a challenge common to accessory and conspiracy charges: prosecutors do not need to show a defendant pulled the trigger, only that he knowingly assisted or agreed to assist in the underlying crime. That distinction is often where the hardest-fought battles at trial occur, and it is where a defense attorney's ability to dissect the state's timeline and evidence becomes critical. Gerace's defense pressed that distinction through to a jury verdict, a hallmark of the trial-ready approach Gerace & Cavallari brings to serious felony matters.

Media Recognition: A Firm With a Track Record in High-Profile Cases

This FOX61-carried case is one of many instances in which William Gerace's criminal defense work has drawn coverage from Connecticut and national media, including NBC Connecticut, WFSB, CT Insider, CBS News' 48 Hours, and HBO. That consistent media attention reflects the firm's standing as trial-ready counsel willing to take serious felony cases the distance.

Read the Original Source

FOX61: "Jury convicts Hartford man of helping brother in murder" (Associated Press report)

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

Facing serious felony charges in Connecticut means facing a system that rarely offers second chances. Gerace & Cavallari LLC has spent nearly four decades preparing Hartford-area clients for trial, not just for a plea. Contact Gerace & Cavallari today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Interviewed by NBC Connecticut in Grisales Case

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 20:36:46 GMT

NBC Connecticut Interviews Attorney William Gerace as Defense Counsel in Kelvin Grisales Sexual Assault Cases

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC was interviewed by NBC Connecticut as defense counsel in one of Hartford's most closely followed criminal cases of 2014. In a report published April 30, 2014 by NBC Connecticut journalists Ari Mason and Amy Parmenter — headlined "DNA Links Hartford Corrections Officer to More Sexual Assaults: Police" — Gerace is quoted extensively as the defense attorney for Kelvin Grisales, a Hartford corrections officer facing sexual assault and kidnapping charges.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the NBC Connecticut report, Hartford police said DNA evidence connected Grisales, who had been arrested the previous month, to additional alleged assaults, and new charges were brought. Speaking to NBC Connecticut about those new charges, Gerace was direct with the public about their gravity: "He's charged with kidnapping, sex assault in the first degree and a myriad of other charges," he said. "They're very serious. They're very ugly."

At the same time, Gerace presented his client's account to the press, telling NBC Connecticut, "He denies force. He admits to the sex; there is DNA evidence, and perhaps video evidence," and later adding, "If I believe my client, and at this point I have to, there was no force, no weapons and no compulsion." Anticipating the road ahead, he told the station, "I understand there are more cases coming down the pike. We'll have to wait until they all come out and see where we are."

What This Coverage Illustrates

The interview shows a defense attorney doing one of the hardest jobs in the justice system: standing next to a client accused of grave crimes, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations honestly, and still insisting that the accused's side of the story be heard. In cases involving DNA evidence, multiple jurisdictions, and intense media attention, that role is more demanding — and more essential — than ever.

Every person accused of a crime in Connecticut is presumed innocent and entitled to a vigorous defense. High-profile coverage like this reflects why reporters turn to Gerace when serious felony cases move through Hartford's courts: he answers questions candidly and advocates for his client on the record.

Decades of Statewide and National M edia Recognition

The 2014 NBC Connecticut interview is part of a long record of media attention to Gerace's casework. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut, including the most serious Part A felony matters.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original NBC Connecticut report, including Gerace's full comments, is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on NBC Connecticut — "DNA Links Hartford Corrections Officer to More Sexual Assaults: Police" (April 30, 2014).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing sexual assault, kidnapping, or other serious felony charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in NBC Connecticut Coverage of UConn Case

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:36:47 GMT

NBC Connecticut Covers Attorney William Gerace's Advocacy in High-Profile UConn Manslaughter Case

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC was featured in NBC Connecticut's coverage of one of the state's most closely watched criminal cases of 2011. In an Associated Press report published by NBC Connecticut on June 3, 2011 , headlined "Lawyers Want Judge's Intervention in UConn Death," Gerace is identified as the defense lawyer for Edi Rapo of East Hartford, a 20-year-old charged with manslaughter in the death of Jafar Karzoun during Spring Weekend festivities at the University of Connecticut.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the NBC Connecticut report, prosecutors and defense attorneys asked a judge to intervene in plea negotiations in the case. Authorities said Rapo, who was not a UConn student, punched 20-year-old Jafar Karzoun of Milford outside a restaurant on April 23, 2010, during the annual weekend of parties; Karzoun fell, hit his head, and later died.

As Rapo's defense attorney, Gerace told the court that the sentencing range under the proposed deal was too wide, and said he expected his client to reject it. Per the report, a new court date was scheduled for June 10 before Judge Terrence Sullivan.

What This Coverage Illustrates

The NBC Connecticut report captures Gerace doing exactly what a criminal defense attorney is supposed to do: scrutinizing the terms of a proposed plea agreement and refusing to accept conditions he believed were not in his client's interest — on the record, in open court, in a case the entire state was watching.

Plea negotiations decide the outcome of the overwhelming majority of criminal cases in Connecticut. An attorney willing to push back on unfavorable terms, and prepared to take a case to trial if necessary, can make a decisive difference in a client's future.

Decades of Statewide Media Recognition

The 2011 NBC Connecticut coverage is part of a long record of state and national media attention to Gerace's casework. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut, including the most serious Part A felony matters.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original Associated Press report, as published by NBC Connecticut, is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on NBC Connecticut — "Lawyers Want Judge's Intervention in UConn Death" (June 3, 2011).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing manslaughter, assault, or other serious felony charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

Attorney William Gerace Featured in CT Insider Avon Mountain Case Coverage

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 18:43:29 GMT

CT Insider Coverage Features Attorney William Gerace in Avon Mountain Crash Evidence-Tampering Case

Hartford, Connecticut — Attorney William T. "Bill" Gerace of Gerace & Cavallari LLC is featured in coverage published by CT Insider of one of the most significant criminal prosecutions to come out of the 2005 Avon Mountain crash. In the report — headlined "Attorney: Wilcox son will plead not guilty," by Tracy Kennedy and Lisa Backus and dated August 16, 2006 — Gerace is identified as the Hartford attorney representing Shaun Wilcox, son of former American Crushing & Recycling owner David Wilcox.

Gerace's Role in the Case

According to the report, Shaun Wilcox, then 25, was charged with second-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit tampering in the hours after a company dump truck caused the deadly July 2005 crash on Avon Mountain, which killed four people and seriously injured several others. Police alleged that he destroyed daily maintenance records to conceal the truck's true mechanical condition, per the arrest warrant cited in the article.

Speaking to the press, Gerace confirmed that his client would enter a plea of not guilty and explained the procedural posture of the case, which had been transferred to the Part A division of Hartford Superior Court — the docket reserved for Connecticut's most serious criminal matters. "It has been moved to a more serious court, but today was just an administrative appearance and he will plead not guilty in two weeks," Gerace told the reporters.

What This Coverage Illustrates

The Avon Mountain crash generated years of statewide headlines and a sprawling web of criminal charges against multiple defendants. Representing a client in a Part A prosecution connected to a tragedy of that magnitude demands an attorney who can manage intense media scrutiny while protecting the client's rights at every procedural step — exactly the role Gerace is shown performing in this coverage.

It also illustrates something practical about Gerace's practice: reporters covering Hartford Superior Court have relied on him for clear, on-the-record explanations of where his clients' cases stand, from administrative appearances to trial.

Decades of Statewide and National Media Recognition

This 2006 coverage is among the earlier entries in a long record of media attention to Gerace's casework in Connecticut's highest-profile prosecutions. His trials and commentary have also been featured by HBO, CBS News' 48 Hours , CNN, NBC Connecticut, FOX61, WFSB, the Hartford Courant, and the New Haven Register. Practicing since 1985, Gerace holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer rating and has tried hundreds of criminal cases across Connecticut, including Part A felony matters.

You can learn more about the firm and its attorneys on our About Us page.

Read the Original Coverage

The original report, as published by CT Insider, is available directly from the source:

Read the Full Article on CT Insider — "Attorney: Wilcox son will plead not guilty" (August 16, 2006).

Talk to a Hartford Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or a loved one is facing evidence-tampering, hindering-prosecution, or other serious felony charges anywhere in Connecticut, the trial-tested team at Gerace & Cavallari LLC is ready to help. Our office at 21 Oak Street in Hartford serves English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout the state.

Contact Gerace & Cavallari LLC today for a free consultation.

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