Connecticut attorney freed on bond after manslaughter conviction overturned
A Connecticut attorney convicted of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a man outside his Litchfield law office has been released from custody after an appellate court overturned his conviction.
Robert Fischer Jr. was released on $50,000 bond on the condition that he does not possess a firearm or ammunition as the appellate process continues. His release comes after an appellate court overturned his conviction based on a judge’s failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest during Fischer’s 2025 trial.
Fischer had been behind bars for roughly 14 months and was serving a 7-year sentence suspended after 2 and a half years for the 2021 shooting death of Matthew Bromley.
“Fortunately, I kept myself busy mentally, read a lot of books, played word games, and did the best I could to get along with everyone that was there,” said Fischer.
Fischer was met by family and friends inside Torrington Superior Court following his release.
“I’m going to be hanging out with my daughter, and her dog and two cats… and anything else that has been gathered over the last year I don’t know about?”
Prosecutors alleged Fischer and Bromley got into a fight outside Fischer’s law office. Prosecutors said that as Bromley walked back to his car following a fight, Fischer confronted him with a gun and shot him.
Fischer maintained that Bromley had followed him to his office, attacked him and threatened his life. Fischer said he attempted to defuse the situation but shot Bromley after a brief physical fight.
Fischer’s appellate attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, said the case could effectively return to where it stood before Fischer’s trial if there is no further action in the appeal.
“If there is no further action in the appeal, the judgment becomes final and it’s as if this was two months before the trial,” Schoenhorn explained.
The Litchfield County state’s attorney indicated in a statement that prosecutors stand ready to retry the case.
The statement adds, “The state Appellate Court’s decision to reverse the defendant’s conviction had nothing to do with actual guilt or innocence or the jury’s decision. The decision issued by this court is currently being reviewed by the Division of Criminal Justice’s Appellate Bureau and a decision will be made shortly as to whether or not we will seek review from the state Supreme Court.”
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