HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man during a mental health emergency made his initial court appearance Friday, drawing support from dozens of fellow law enforcement officers who gathered outside the courthouse.
Joseph Magnano, 23, remained silent during the brief Superior Court hearing in Hartford but was seen embracing supporting officers afterward. Many of the officers wore their badges over civilian clothing as a show of solidarity.
The Hartford mayor terminated Magnano’s employment following the February 27 fatal shooting of Steven Jones. The incident sparked significant community outrage and raised serious concerns about department protocols for responding to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
Speaking to media Friday, the local police union president maintained his defense of Magnano’s actions.
“They told him he was a criminal for doing what he was trained to do,” James Rutkauski said.
The victim, Jones, 55, had a documented history of mental health issues and was brandishing a large knife on a city street when officers first responded that winter day.
Body camera footage reveals three officers spending several minutes attempting to convince Jones to surrender the weapon while assuring him of their intent 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?”
The recordings show Jones remaining silent throughout the encounter.
Approximately 12 minutes following the initial 911 call, Magnano arrived on scene, immediately drew his weapon and began shouting commands for Jones to drop the knife, warning him, “You’re going to get shot.” A woman can be heard pleading, “Don’t shoot him!”
The footage captures Prignano gesturing toward Magnano, seemingly urging him to step back. As Jones began moving slowly in Magnano’s direction, the officer issued one final warning before discharging his weapon nine times. Jones succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott determined through investigation that Jones posed no immediate threat at the time of the shooting.
Magnano wrote in his incident report that he was “fearful of Jones making a sudden lunge towards either an officer or citizen.”
While Jones’ family members were not present at Friday’s hearing, representatives from the local NAACP attended the proceedings.
“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?”
