State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice
08/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2024 15:21
Jury Convicts Jefton Brown of 2020 Murder of Jonathan Dawson
Press Releases
08/01/2024
Jury Convicts Jefton Brown of 2020 Murder of Jonathan Dawson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bridgeport, CT) - Joseph T. Corradino, State's Attorney for the Judicial District of Bridgeport, announced that a Superior Court jury today found Jefton Brown, age 29, of Bridgeport, guilty of the 2020 murder of 23-year-old Jonathan Dawson.
The jury, which heard 20 witnesses and received 57 exhibits in evidence over four days of trial, convicted Brown of one count of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statues § 53a-54(a), and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm in violation of Connecticut General Statues §53a-217(a).
The 12-person jury deliberated for two days before reaching the unanimous verdict.
Dawson's body was discovered on a road in East Lyme adjacent to the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 about 10:26 p.m. on June 2, 2020. The victim and Brown were seen leaving Dawson's Bridgeport residence at about 5:00 p.m. the same day. Brown was linked to Dawson's death when police recovered video of Brown and Dawson leaving the Bridgeport residence, the locations of Brown and Dawson's cellphones based on historical cell site analysis, and Dawson's blood in the passenger seat of Brown's rented vehicle. Dawson suffered two gunshot wounds to the head.
"The jury addressed the evidence with care and worked diligently to reach an appropriate verdict," said State's Attorney Corradino, who tried the case for the state.
State's Attorney Corradino praised the Bridgeport Police Department homicide squad, the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the FBI CAST unit, and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory for their contributions to the case. "The people of Connecticut are fortunate to have skilled professionals to solve difficult cases," State's Attorney Corradino said.
Brown faces 70 years in prison when he is sentenced by the Honorable Tracy Lee Dayton in Bridgeport Superior Court on October 1, 2024. Judge Dayton increased Brown's bond to $3 million following the verdict.