HARTFORD, Conn. — After more than four years following his death, the family of Richard Lapointe is poised to receive an award of approximately $5.9 million from the state of Connecticut. This settlement stems from his wrongful conviction that resulted in a 25-year imprisonment, which was overturned in 2015 concerning the murder and sexual assault of his wife’s 88-year-old grandmother.
Lapointe’s situation drew considerable attention, becoming a notable case among advocates for the disabled and receiving endorsements from prominent figures such as authors Arthur Miller and William Styron who vociferously advocated for his release. Lapointe, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 74, had been diagnosed with Dandy-Walker syndrome — a rare brain malformation — which his legal team argues led to his false confession.
The state’s claims commissioner announced the award on January 2 after extensive legal struggles involving Lapointe’s attorneys and the state Attorney General’s office. Although Lapointe was never formally exonerated, an agreement was reached between the parties, resulting in the compensation.
“This award does not reflect the true extent of the injustices inflicted upon Richard Lapointe,” stated his attorney, Paul Casteleiro. He emphasized that the state irreparably altered Lapointe’s life for a crime he did not commit. Casteleiro noted that the award symbolizes an acknowledgment from the state of the grave error made in prosecuting an innocent individual, lamenting that Lapointe did not live to see this acknowledgment come to fruition.
When asked about the settlement and its implications, the Attorney General’s office provided a brief response, indicating that the resolution was achieved in consideration of all parties involved and reflected the negotiation process.
Claims Commissioner Robert Shea Jr. stated that the amount awarded is “reasonable and appropriate,” claiming authority to decide on claims related to wrongful imprisonment cases in the state. An official from his office has yet to return inquiries for further comment.
In an incident dating back to 1987, Bernice Martin, the grandmother of Lapointe’s wife, was discovered murdered in her apartment in Manchester. Lapointe, then working as a dishwasher, was convicted in 1992 and handed a life sentence without parole. Key evidence against him included confessions made during a lengthy interrogation that his team has argued was influenced by his mental impairments, rendering him susceptible to coercion.
The Connecticut Supreme Court determined in a 2015 ruling that Lapointe was denied a fair trial due to prosecutors withholding police notes that could have supported a potential alibi. Following additional DNA tests that excluded Lapointe as a suspect, all charges were dropped later that year, with no other individuals brought to justice for the crime.
Lapointe was released from prison shortly after the court’s ruling, appearing in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the words “I didn’t do it,” raising his arms in victory. “I definitely didn’t do it,” he declared, asserting that he would never harm another person.
Casteleiro reflected on how the case impacted Lapointe’s family, leading to estrangement. Prior to the incident, Lapointe and his wife, who has cerebral palsy, were establishing a life together. She divorced him following his arrest, and he lost all contact with his young son.
After his release, Lapointe faced health challenges, including dementia, necessitating his placement in a nursing home in East Hartford, where he ultimately passed away due to complications related to COVID-19.
Throughout his ordeal, Lapointe had the backing of various advocacy groups, including Friends of Richard Lapointe and Centurion, a Princeton-based organization that assists wrongfully convicted individuals, for whom Casteleiro also works.
