Victim's testimony frees Bridgeport robbery suspect

BRIDGEPORT - A Superior Court judge Wednesday threw out the charges against the city man accused of participating in a robbery last year after the victim said he was the wrong man. Judge G. Sarsfield Ford acquitted Tavares Jefferson of first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, third-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon. "Judge Ford showed tremendous insight in this case," Jefferson's lawyer, Wayne Keeney, said later. "My client has maintained his innocence since his arrest."

Jefferson, 25, of Pit Street, has been held in lieu of bond since November. He was accused of participating with two other men in the gunpoint robbery of a city man on Nov. 26, 2001 at Deacon Street and Seaview Avenue. The victim was robbed of a jacket, $45 and a silver bracelet, police said.

Jefferson was arrested in a car with two other men about 20 minutes later.

But on the witness stand Wednesday, the victim testified that Jefferson was not one of the men who had robbed him.

Ford then granted Keeney's motion to acquit.

Jury finds man not guilty of May burglary, theft,

Source: Connecticut Post