On Eve Of Silva Trial, Woman Pleads Guilty

Accused Of Helping Suspect Flee

HARTFORD — A Glastonbury woman pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree hindering prosecution for her role in helping accused double-murderer Joseph Silva get away in the immediate aftermath of a double shooting in Hartford two years ago.

Kailei Opalacz, 22, pleaded guilty before Judge Laura F. Baldini, who scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17. Opalacz had also faced a charge of possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle.

Prosecutor Robin Krawczyk did not say during the brief hearing whether Opalacz would cooperate with the state in its prosecution of Silva. His murder trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday before Judge David P. Gold in Superior Court in Hartford.

According to the warrant for her arrest, Opalacz drove Silva away from Cowles Street and Campfield Avenue, where on May 16, 2016, police say Silva fatally shot Joshua Cortez, 22, of Hartford, and Alysha Ocasio, 23, of Newington.

As they drove from the crime scene, according to the warrant, a wheel fell off the car they were riding in. Opalacz then called another person to bring a car to pick them up, according to the warrant.

She then suggested people go to the Walmart store in Manchester to get a change of clothing for Silva, according to the warrant.

The shooting followed a petty grievance between Silva and Cortez, according to police.

No sentence was specified as part of Opalacz’s plea agreement.