Ex-hartford charter school CEO receives life sentence

Michael Sharpe, 71, kidnapped 4 women in 1984, draws 72-year prison term

Michael Sharpe, the 71-year-old former Hartford charter school CEO who was convicted of kidnapping four women who were attacked in their homes in the 1980s, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday in a case that had been cold for decades until DNA evidence led to a breakthrough.

Sharpe appeared in court in Hartford on Monday before Judge Frank M. D’addabbo, who handed down what he said was a life sentence for Sharpe: 72 years in prison with a minimum of 40 years to be served.

D’addabbo said that each of the four survivors would live with the “agonizing trauma” of their attacks for as long as they lived and likened their pain to “lifelong sentences” as well.

D’addabbo said that over the length of his career, he rarely felt the pretense of a predator in court. But on Monday, he said he did.

“You fit that definition,” he told Sharpe. “A person who ruthlessly exploits others.”

Sharpe was found guilty in November of four counts of first-degree kidnapping and four counts of first-degree kidnapping in the commission of a felony nearly four decades after he attacked four women in their homes in June and July 1984 in Bloomfield, Windsor, Rocky Hill and Middletown.

All four of Sharpe’s survivors, who testified against him in court, delivered victim impact statements on Monday. Three of them appeared in court and one spoke via video conferencing, imploring the judge to consider the terror of their attacks and the decades of fear they navigated as they waited for justice.

One of Sharpe’s survivors likened the last 38 years to “being on a rollercoaster blindfolded,” while another described the “trickle-down effect” her attack had on her life, her career, her marriage and her husband’s career.

Sharpe, who did not visibly react to either the detailed and graphic testimonies at trial or the tearful victim impact statements, dabbed a tissue at his eyes as his daughter and son-in-law begged the judge for leniency. He then broke down in tears as he

“The culture has changed,” Godfrey said. “There’s no one anymore that just comes in to give the lip service minimum effort. They’re all very hardworking, very interested people, and I’m just delighted by that. It makes for better government, it makes for better laws.”

As one of the leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly’s new legislator orientation, Republican Rep. Tami Zawistowski of the 61st House District said she was impressed by the level of experience possessed by the newbies on her side of the aisle.

“It seems to be a very eager group. Everybody seems to be taking this very seriously,” Zawistowski said of the 36 new legislators. “It’s a nice growing process, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with these freshmen as time goes on.”

Zawistowski’s advice to the class of newcomers is to “Read the bills, listen to the debates.”

Godfrey said, “Pick an issue that you can run with and get passed … and have an overnight bag in the trunk of your car. You never know.”

The group of senators and representatives includes immigrants and lifelong locals, veterans, first responders, clergy, nurses, social workers, lawyers, municipal officials, teachers and business leaders.

One noteworthy resume belongs to Rep. Marty Foncello, a Republican representing the 107th House District of Bethel, Brookfield, and Newtown.

The retired lieutenant colonel served for 28 years in the U.S. Army and worked as a senior intelligence officer for the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Foncello also led Brookfield for two terms as the town’s first selectman.

Foncello said he is looking to lower taxes, increase benefits for seniors and veterans, and get Connecticut students’ academics back on track.

Many plan to bring their professional expertise to the public role, like Republican Sen. Dr. Jeffrey Gordon of the 35th Senate

District which encompasses Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Stafford, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington, and Woodstock.

Gordon is a physician who specializes in caring for patients with cancers and blood disorders. He served as the president of the Connecticut State Medical Society in addition to many medical leadership roles. He’s also the commissioner of the Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission and was a leader in other community roles concerning education, agriculture and safety.

“I now have an expanded opportunity beyond what I’ve been doing in my town as an elected official to help people and help make a difference in people’s lives, and also see what we can do for the future of our state,” Gordon said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity at a state level, but also [a chance] to really help bring those types of opportunities, and I hope good things, back to the people in each of the towns of my district.”

Gordon said he is looking forward to his involvement in decisions concerning how the state collects and spends taxes. He wants to increase resources and support for Connecticut State Troopers and local law enforcement. Gordon also said he wants to expand mental health care for adults and children and responsibly increase health care affordability and access.

“[I want to] make certain that we can help facilitate the care that’s given by doctors and other caregivers in Connecticut to streamline the process [and to] try to get rid of roadblocks and red tape that really delay health care being delivered to people,” Gordon said.

For some legislators, taking the oath was a lifelong goal. For others, it was a more recent dream.

“I’m just forever grateful and indebted to the constituents of the 126th District that they had enough confidence in me to elect me into a role and position that a year ago I didn’t see myself in,” said Rep. Fred Gee Jr., a Democrat representing Bridgeport. “[The swearing-in ceremony] was a surreal moment for me. It was overwhelming.”

Gee is a local pastor and the director of Bridgeport’s Small and Minority Business Enterprise. In addition to lowering taxes and increasing education on the state level, Gee plans to address flooding, public safety, and gun violence in his district and build meaningful relationships with law enforcement in urban areas.

Democratic Rep. Melissa Osborne of Simsbury’s 16th House District is a family and juvenile court attorney representing vulnerable children and adults. Osborne has served on municipal commissions, task forces and Connecticut Bar Association committees.

Like many of her colleagues, Osborne said her list of possible policy initiatives “keeps changing,” but Osborne plans to hold true to her campaign goals and emphasize legislation that supports domestic violence survivors and affordable housing for seniors.

“It’s been a long and unusual road for me,” Osborne said. “When I began 2022, this wasn’t where I thought my path was leading me. And I’m just really excited to be able to stretch my wings, to delve into different subject matters, and to bring my efforts and my experience to bear for the benefit of my town and my state.”

She noted that this is the first year since the COVID19 pandemic that the Capitol is fully reopening. Osborne said she appreciated meeting and collaborating with fellow first-term legislators during the in-person orientation. She described the increased access as a crucial piece of democracy.

“It was really important for us to be able to come together as a freshman class, so to speak. To start to make those connections and start kickingaroundthebillideas that we have. And to start making those one-on-one connections where we can pick up the phone and call each other and say, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about this bill, are you interested in it? What are your ideas about it? And, how can we make this better?’ ” Osborne said. “I’m excited to bring ideas, to be one part of the solution to the issues that are facing Connecticut today.”