Connecticut police officer hugs supporters, appears in court in fatal shooting of Black man

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A white police officer in Connecticut who repeatedly shot a Black man suffering a mental health crisis while his colleagues tried to defuse the situation made his first court appearance Friday on a manslaughter charge, a brief hearing that attracted dozens of fellow officers who support him.

Joseph Magnano, 23, did not speak during the arraignment at Superior Court in Hartford but later hugged officers outside the courtroom. Many displayed badges over their street clothes.

Magnano was fired by the Hartford mayor after the fatal shooting of Steven Jones on Feb. 27. The shooting drew wide public outcry and questions about the police department’s policies when responding to people in mental distress.

The president of the local police union continued to defend Magnano while speaking to reporters Friday. The union has filed several grievances with the city over his firing, seeking to have him reinstated.

“They told him he was a criminal for doing what he was trained to do,” James Rutkauski said.

Magnano's lawyer, Patrick Tomasiewicz, declined to comment after the hearing. Free after posting $50,000 bail following his arrest last month, Magnano is due back in court on July 21. He is expected to enter a not guilty plea at some point.

Jones, 55, who had a history of mental illness, was holding a large knife on a city street when officers arrived on that winter day.

Police body camera video shows three officers, over several minutes, repeatedly telling Jones to drop a knife. The officers also tell him they’re there to help.

“Steve, you’re OK. We’re going to make sure you’re OK,” Officer James Prignano says. “Just drop the knife. We’re going to go talk to somebody, OK?”

Jones can’t be heard saying anything in the videos.

About 12 minutes after the 911 call, Magnano arrives, draws his pistol and shouts at Jones to drop the knife, telling him, “You’re going to get shot.” A woman is heard screaming, “Don’t shoot him!”

The videos show Prignano motioning at Magnano, appearing to tell him to back away. As Jones slowly walks toward Magnano, the officer gives a final warning before shooting at him nine times, about 30 seconds after he got out of his cruiser. Jones died four days later.

Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott, who filed the manslaughter charge and is prosecuting the case, said an investigation found Jones was not an imminent threat and the shooting was not justified.

In his own incident report, Magnano, who had been on the force for a year and four months, said he was “fearful of Jones making a sudden lunge towards either an officer or citizen.”

Hartford Police Chief James Rovella has not commented publicly on the shooting. He and several high-ranking officers also went to court Friday. “It's too early to comment,” he said.

Jones’ relatives did not attend the hearing but local NAACP officials were present Friday.

“They take an oath to protect and serve,” Corrie Betts, president of the Greater Hartford NAACP branch, said of police. “So when they’re called to a mental health call and an individual ends up dead, is that protecting and serving?”

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano appears during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool) CORRECTION : corrects name to Magnano in stead of Magnanom

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano, right, stands with his attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool) CORRECTION : corrects name to Magnano in stead of Magnanom

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano, right, stands with his attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool) CORRECTION : corrects name to Magnano in stead of Magnanom

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnanom appears during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool)

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnanom, right, stands with his attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool)

FILE - This photo taken from Hartford Police body camera video shows Steven Jones, right, as police officers shout commands to him seconds before he is shot by officer Joseph Magnano, center, Feb. 27, 2026 in Hartford, Conn. (Hartford Police Department via AP, File)

Former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnanom, right, stands with his attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, during his arraignment at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn., on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant via AP, Pool)

HOUSTON (AP) — Isaac Paredes homered for the third straight game, driving in four runs to propel the Houston Astros to a 5-1 victory over the Athletics on Friday night.

Jeremy Peña singled off Jack Perkins (2-3) to begin the first inning, extending his hitting streak to six games before Yordan Alvarez followed with a walk. Paredes homered for the ninth time for a 3-0 lead.

Alvarez, who chased down first-inning fly balls from Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz in left field in his first start out there since May 5, singled to start the third before scoring on a triple by Christian Walker. Paredes followed with a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 advantage.

Peter Lambert (5-4) was cruising until Brent Rooker hit his ninth homer in the sixth. The right-hander then walked Tyler Soderstrom in front of a double by Henry Bolte to put runners on second and third with one out. Enyel De Los Santos came in and struck out Zach Gelof before retiring Jeff McNeil on a liner to Jose Altuve at second to limit the damage.

The Athletics loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Lambert struck out McNeil and Darell Hernaiz to keep it 3-0. He allowed one run on five hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

De Los Santos retired all five batters he faced, Bryan King pitched a scoreless eighth, and closer Josh Hader struck out the side in his second appearance after beginning the season on the injured list.

Altuve singled in the eighth and finished 1 for 4 in his first game since May 16 when he landed on the IL with a strained left oblique. It was the only hit off reliever Mason Barnett over the final four innings.

Perkins was charged with all five runs in four innings.

Athletics RHP Kade Morris was set to make his big-league debut on the mound Saturday, opposite Astros rookie RHP Tatsuya Imai (2-3, 5.52).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Athletics relief pitcher Mason Barnett throws against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert throws against the Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3), designated hitter Isaac Paredes (15) and Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrate after they all score on the three run home run by Paredes against the Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros designated hitter Isaac Paredes flips his bat as he watches his hit against the Athletics during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, June 5, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)