Reputed gang leader acquitted of murder charge after 3rd trial in Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn.– A Connecticut man who denies leading a violent Hartford gang has been acquitted of a murder charge and released after a third trial stemming from the Supreme Court overturning his conviction.

Donald Raynor, now 38, broke down in tears as the state court jury announced its not guilty verdict Monday, said his attorney, Trent LaLima. He was subsequently released after being held on bail for the past ten years.

“Donald Raynor has been waiting in prison for 10 years for the jury to say not guilty, and that day has finally arrived,” LaLima said Tuesday. “I know he is grateful for all the support from friends and family during this long ordeal.”

Raynor was arrested in a cold case and charged with murder in 2013 in the fatal drive-by shooting of 22-year-old Delano Gray in 2007. Police alleged Raynor led the violent Money Green/Bedroc gang that carried out a “hit squad’ and dealt drugs in the city’s North End, while Gray was a rival gang member.

Raynor’s first trial ended in a hung jury. He was convicted of murder at a second trial in 2015 and sentenced to 60 years in prison.

The state Supreme Court in December 2020 overturned the conviction and ordered a third trial. The justices said in a 6-0 ruling that the judge improperly denied Raynor’s request for a hearing to challenge the ballistics evidence in the case and improperly admitted evidence of alleged crimes by Raynor for which he never has been indicted.

Raynor has maintained his innocence since he was arrested. LaLima claimed the state’s star witness was facing other murder and shooting charges and implicated Raynor in Gray’s shooting to get a better plea deal.

The state Criminal Division, which includes prosecutors, said in a statement that it “respects the jury’s decision and thanks them for their service.”