Man Sentenced In Killing At Playground In Woodbridge: Officials

WOODBRIDGE, CT — A New Haven man has been sentenced in connection with the killing of a West Haven man at a playground in Woodbridge in 2021, according to officials.

Jorden Rudel, 27, was sentenced Thursday to 35 years in prison for his role in the 2021 murder of Rondell Atkinson in Woodbridge, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. announced.

Rudel pleaded guilty in New Haven Superior Court to a charge of felony murder, according to Doyle.

Doyle said the plea followed an investigation by several law enforcement agencies that culminated in a trial of Rudel’s co-defendant, Rickey Traynham, in May 2023.

Evidence presented at Traynham’s trial established that Rudel confessed to multiple family members that he was involved in the robbery and fatal shooting of Atkinson, 33, of West Haven, at the Pease Road Playground in Woodbridge on June 7, 2021, according to Doyle.

A Superior Court jury found Traynham guilty in May of the murder of Atkinson and he was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Traynham was found in possession of the two murder weapons when police arrested him on July 11, 2021, according to Doyle.

The case was investigated by the Woodbridge Police Department and the Connecticut State Police. The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Seth R. Garbarsky and Assistant State’s Attorney Gregory L. Borrelli, with assistance from Inspector Michael Mastropetre.

“We are grateful to the Woodbridge Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and Division of Scientific Services for their tireless work on this investigation,” Doyle said. “We appreciate all of Rondell’s family and friends who showed up at Rudel’s sentencing today to let the court know of the positive impact Rondell’s life had on his community and how much he will be missed. Although Rondell can never be replaced, we hope the sentences of these two defendants have brought a sense of justice and closure to all of those impacted.”