Richard Reynolds

Case identification

Richard Reynolds

Status

Reynolds was sentenced to death on April 13, 1995.

Background

Richard Reynolds was a crack dealer. He was described as a Brooklyn, New York man.

The offence

On the night of December 18, 1992, Waterbury police officer Walter T. Williams died after being shot in the head while on routine patrol in a drug-plagued neighborhood.

The police said Officer Williams was not wearing a bulletproof vest when he stopped the suspects while they were walking on the street about 4 A.M. Reynolds apparently had a pistol in his right pocket and refused Officer Williams’s request to remove his hands from his pockets. When the officer tried to grab the suspect’s hands, Reynolds shot him once in back of the head.

Officer Williams fell unconscious to the street alongside his car. As the two suspects fled, Reynolds turned and fired four more shots that missed the officer, according to prosecutors.

The police arrested two men, and said one of them had shot the officer after the two had been stopped for questioning.

Investigation

A passer-by used the officer’s portable radio to call the police.

The police said witnesses saw two men run into the house after the shooting.

The police said Reynolds was wanted in New York on drug charges, and they suspected he was carrying drugs when Officer Williams stopped him.

Waterbury State’s Attorney John Connelly and Police Inspector John Griffin said at a news conference that Officer Williams stopped the suspects while they were walking on the street about 4 A.M. They said Reynolds apparently had a pistol in his right pocket, and refused Officer Williams’s request to remove his hands from his pockets. When the officer tried to grab the suspect’s hands, he was shot.

Inspector Griffin said:

"He was intending to kill the cop," Inspector Griffin said. "There's no question about that. Our information is he bumped into the officer deliberately to determine if the officer had a vest on. When he ascertained that, he shot him in the head point-blank."

Prosecutors said that before firing, Reynolds bumped into Williams to see if he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

The police said they seized a .380-caliber pistol in the house where the men were arrested.

Waterbury State’s Attorney John Connelly said:

"Both suspects gave statements to police implicating themselves and implicating Reynolds as the shooter," said Waterbury State's Attorney, John Connelly.

Arrest

On December 19, 1992, the Waterbury police arrested two suspects, Richard Reynolds and Anthony Crawford, at a home near the shooting site. The police said Reynolds was a 24-year-old former Brooklyn resident now living in Waterbury.

The police said Crawford, whose age was not available, had been on supervised home release since September after serving a robbery sentence.

Authorities said both men were scheduled to be arraigned Monday after the arrests. The police said Reynolds would be charged with murder. Crawford was charged with hindering prosecution.

Trial

A three-judge panel returned a verdict finding Richard Reynolds guilty of murder and capital felony in the December 1992 death of Waterbury police officer Walter T. Williams.

The panel deliberated more than three hours Tuesday and roughly two hours Wednesday before announcing the verdict.

State’s Attorney John Connelly said he would seek the death penalty.

The New York Times reported:

A 25-year-old New York man was found guilty today of fatally shooting a Waterbury police officer in the head after checking to see if he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

The New York Times reported:

Mr. Reynolds, dressed in a gray suit, showed no visible reaction when the verdict was rendered. He was led away by bailiffs.

The New York Times reported:

"I'm very pleased that it went in our favor," Mr. Williams's widow, Jeannine, said outside the courtroom. "I hope he gets what he deserves -- the ultimate punishment for the ultimate sacrifice. He took my husband's life, and one day I hope he has to feel the same way. It's been a very tough two years."

Judges Roland D. Fasano, Thomas G. West and Christine E. Keller of Superior Court deliberated more than three hours Tuesday and roughly two hours Wednesday before announcing the verdict.

The New York Times reported possible sentencing outcomes:

Mr. Reynolds could face the electric chair or life imprisonment without parole.

Sentencing

Outcome

Reynolds received a death sentence.

Aftermath

Officer Walter T. Williams was survived by his wife and three sons.

Waterbury police department biographical details recorded:

• Officer Walter Williams was 34 years old.
• He had an eight-year tour of duty.
• Badge Number: 80.
• Incident details included: Cause of Death: Gunfire.
• Date of Incident: Friday, December 18, 1992.
• Weapon used: Gun; Unknown type.
• End of Watch: Friday, December 18, 1992.

The victim was described as:

• Walter T. Williams III.

ODMP.org entries included suspect information stating Reynolds was sentenced to death.