Sergio Correa guilty of murdering all three members of the Lindquist family, a jury found

NEW LONDON — After two full days of deliberations, 12 New London Superior Court jurors on Tuesday found 30-year-old Hartford resident Sergio Correa guilty on 13 of the 14 criminal counts he faced, including the murders of Griswold residents Kenneth, Janet and Matthew Lindquist.

As the jury forewoman read the verdicts, Correa stood stock-still facing the jury box with any expressions hidden behind a face-mask. He was flanked by his public defenders, Joe Lopez and Corrie-Ann Mainville.

As the packed court gallery emptied into a hallway, tearful hugs were exchanged among Lindquist friends, family members and other supporters, many who endured a nearly month-long trial that included excruciating details of the victims’ last moments.

No closure for those left behind

Eric Lindquist, whose father, mother and brother were murdered by Correa in the hours on or just before Dec. 20, 2017, said he was relieved to see the judicial process come to a close.

“It would be ignorant to presume that we are celebrating a guilty verdict as if it’s some kind of victory,” he said in a written statement. “Do not be misled: A guilty verdict does not mean justice has prevailed; it does not mean the judicial system works; it does not mean we get to return to normal and move on with the lives we once knew.”

Eric Lindquist also referenced Correa’ adopted sister, Ruth, and her role in the killings. She previously pleaded guilty to three counts of murder in the case. As part of a cooperation agreement with the state that called for her to testify against her sibling, prosecutors will recommend a 40-year sentence in her cases.

“The lives that were taken at the hands of cold-blooded killers can never be returned, yet at least one of those unremorseful killers could have a life after prison after committing some of the most heinous acts in Connecticut’s recent history. Meanwhile, the nightmare of what happened will haunt us forever. The best we can do to honor the lives of Mom, Dad and Matthew is to fight to reform a horribly broken judicial system that is failing to serve and protect our communities.”

14 charges, 13 convictions

The jury, which began deliberating Friday morning, eventually found Correa guilty of three counts of murder, one count for each of the Lindquists; murder with special circumstances, for committing two or more murders during the commission of the same crime; two counts of second-degree arson, including for setting the fire that burned down the Lindquists’ home; murder in the commission of arson; first-degree burglary; two counts first-degree robbery; home invasion; and two counts of murder in the commission of a felony.

The jury found Correa not guilty on one count of felony murder related to the death of Matthew Lindquist. An individual is guilty of that crime if murder is committed during the commission of another crime, such as robbery or burglary – not including a participant of such a crime.

Matthew Lindquist, a 21-year-old relapsing heroin addict, worked out a scheme with Sergio Correa to rob his parents’ Kenwood Estates home in Griswold as part of a drugs-for-stolen-guns plot.

But instead, the younger Lindquist was stabbed to death by both Correas. His body, with its 67 “sharp-force injuries,” was left undiscovered in a wooded area near his home for months. Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Stephen Carney, who spoke to Eric Lindquist and his supporters after the verdict, said the jury seemed to be “struggling” somewhat with the felony murder charge.

Carney, who prosecuted the state’s case with Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas Delillo, Assistant State’s Attorney Marissa Goldberg and Supervisory Inspector Merritt D’Amico, said he suspects the jury could not determine beyond a reasonable doubt that Matthew Lindquist did not in some way participate in the robbery of his parents’ home.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the Lindquist family” said New London Judicial District State’s Attorney Paul Narducci in an emailed statement.  “We hope that this verdict brings them some peace after the suffering that they have endured. We also thank the Connecticut State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Division of Scientific Services, the CSP Fire Explosion Investigation Unit and the Glastonbury Police Department. Their assistance was invaluable.”

State Sen. Heather Somers, whose 18th District includes Griswold, was a frequent attendee of the trial and spent hours speaking with Eric Lindquist during the last month.

“I am grateful that the jury found that the evidence was overwhelming and I thank the prosecution for its hard work,” she said on Tuesday. “The victims’ advocate has been incredibly valuable to the family and I cannot say enough about all the positive work they do.”

Somers said she empathized with Eric Lindquist, “whose family was viciously taken away from him in unimaginable acts of violence by someone out on parole.” At the time of the murders, Correa was out on parole after serving nearly 10 years in prison for armed robbery and assault.

“Eric is an incredibly strong and inspiring person who I am honored to call a friend,” Somers said. “He has become the true face of homicide and understands that these victims’ lives are impacted forever and that life will never be the same, even with those who commit these crimes behind bars.”

Somers said she wanted Eric Lindquist to know that he is supported, “not just in Griswold, but throughout Eastern Connecticut.” She said her trial attendance had highlighted for her the need for some judicial system scrutiny and reform.

March sentencing date set

The case, after years of delays and postponements, finally began on Nov. 12. Prosecutors called dozens of witnesses, including police, forensic experts and FBI experts to the stand. In addition to Correa’s sister and co-defendant, the state also called Correa’s ex-girlfriend, who testified Correa confessed to at least one of the killings.

After killing Matthew, Correa bludgeoned 56-year-old Kenneth Lindquist to death and beat and strangled 61-year-old Janet Lindquist before setting their home on fire. A medical examiner concluded Kenneth Lindquist died of blunt force injuries, while his wife died from a combination of similar injuries, as well as smoke inhalation and burns.

Correa’s defense team, which conducted aggressive cross-examinations of several state witnesses, called only one witness of its own, a former jail-mate of Ruth Correa who testified the defendant had bragged about having something to do with Janet Lindquist’s death.

Lopez on Tuesday said he would not be commenting on the verdict. Several jury members who were approached after the verdict also declined to comment on their deliberations.

Judge Hunchu Kwak who praised the professionalism and “diligent representation” from lawyers on both sides of the case, set a March 2 date for receipt of a pre-sentencing investigation report and for the sentencing of Sergio Correa.

The murder with special circumstances conviction alone carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The other charges carry a maximum sentence of another 150 years of imprisonment.

John Penney can be reached at jpenney@norwichbulletin.com or at (860) 857-6965.