Attorney William Gerace Featured in CT Insider Waterbury Plea Coverage
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.
