Trial over wrongful conviction hears starkly different accounts
A federal trial in Connecticut over a wrongful conviction lawsuit against the New Haven Police Department featured sharply conflicting testimony Monday, as a former detective denied allegations of misconduct tied to a 1990 double murder case.
Stefon Morant, who spent more than two decades in prison, is suing the city after his conviction was overturned. The case, being heard in Hartford, centers on claims that former New Haven police Detective Vincent Raucci framed Morant and Scott Lewis.
Raucci, who took the stand for most of the day, rejected accusations that he engaged in illegal activity or helped frame the men, calling earlier testimony “lies.”
Prior testimony in the trial has alleged Raucci had a motive to frame Morant and Lewis due to his alleged involvement with local drug dealers, including claims he tipped them off about police activity.
On Monday, Raucci described his career progression, explaining how he rose from a beat officer to working in the Street Crimes Unit, focusing on drug activity, before becoming a detective — the role he held at the time of the murders.
His attorney pushed back on earlier witness claims, arguing that building relationships with drug dealers and others involved in criminal activity was a necessary part of Raucci’s work.
In a prior interview with NBC Connecticut, attorney Alexander Taubes, who is not involved in this case but represented a client in a separate wrongful conviction case in New Haven, described what he believes was a broader pattern within the department.
“All telling the same story, of coercion, bribery, incentives and lies coming from the New Haven Police Department. At a certain point you have to say there was not a coincidence, there was a pattern and practice,” said Taubes.
The day concluded with testimony from Scott Lewis, whose conviction in the case was vacated. Lewis described Raucci’s reputation in New Haven as a “crooked cop” and alleged he was involved in a cocaine operation in the city.
Raucci has denied those allegations.
Testimony is expected to continue Tuesday in federal court in Hartford.
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