Hartford Man Convicted In 2022 Killing: State

HARTFORD, CT — A 38-year-old Hartford man has been convicted of shooting and killing a man in Hartford back in August 2022.

Sharmese L. Walcott, Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney, said Wednesday a Hartford Superior Court jury Tuesday found Benjamin White, 38, of Hartford, guilty of murder, first-degree assault, and criminal possession of a firearm.

According to evidence introduced at the trial, on Aug. 11, 2022, Hartford Police received a 911 call reporting shots had been fired at 252 Laurel St., and two individuals had been shot.

Walcott said Simon Griffin, 33, suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced deceased.

A second victim, 27, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was transported to the hospital, she said.

According to Walcott, the surviving victim provided a statement that on the day of the incident, he and Griffin were at Griffin’s apartment.

White, who was known to Griffin, joined the men and began smoking and drinking with them, Walcott said.

Griffin and White then got into an argument regarding a prior criminal offense White had committed, she said.

White then left the room, Walcott said, and re-entered with a firearm.

Walcott said White then pointed the firearm at the surviving victim and Griffin, ordering both men to sit on the floor.

White then shot both men, wounding the surviving victim and killing Griffin, she said.

Walcott credited the surviving victim for "coming forward to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of himself and his deceased friend."

She also thanked the Hartford Police Department, namely Det. Jeffrey Pethigal, for dedicating additional time and resources to ensure that this case was fully and properly presented at trial.

White will be sentenced Jan. 14, 2026, in Hartford Superior Court.

For more information on the case, click on this link.

From Aug. 12, 2022: '33-year-old Man Shot Dead In Hartford'