Man says he used steak knife in fatal Bolton stabbing: Warrant

BOLTON — A man fatally stabbed a person he described as his “friend” with a steak knife during an October dispute, according to the Connecticut State Police.

Robert Robbins, 68, of Middletown Road in Colchester, was charged with first-degree manslaughter Monday, state police said. Robbins was held on $100,000 bond and was scheduled to be arraigned at state Superior Court in Rockville on Tuesday.

On the evening of Oct. 11, Robbins called Troop K headquarters in Colchester to report that he had stabbed a person named Travis in his Bolton apartment, according to Robbins’ arrest warrant. Based on statements Robbins reportedly made to police, both were residents of the apartment building at the time of the stabbing.

Troopers and medics responding to the scene at 890 Boston Turnpike found the victim, identified as Travis Terry, 39, of Bolton, lying on the floor of his own apartment, according to the warrant. He had been stabbed once on the right side of his abdomen and was surrounded by a “blood-like” substance, the warrant said.

Terry was transported to Manchester Hospital by ambulance around 9:06 p.m. and pronounced dead around 9:16 p.m., according to the warrant. In an autopsy report reviewed by investigators in January, the warrant said, the medical examiner’s office stated the knife had penetrated approximately 4.125 inches into Terry’s body and injured his ribs, diaphragm and liver.

Troopers detained Robbins at the scene after identifying him as the suspect, according to the warrant. During an ensuing conversation with Trooper Cullen McCormack in McCormack’s police cruiser, the warrant said, Robbins confessed to stabbing Terry.

While the two were watching television in Terry’s apartment, Robbins told McCormack, Terry took a knife out of his pocket to show Robbins how to open the blade, according to the warrant. Terry then became angry, the warrant stated, and said, “I’ll cut your throat.”

He began to exit the apartment but then leaned back against the front door and faced Robbins, saying, “Where’s my knife?,” the warrant stated.

Fearing for his life, Robbins told McCormack, Robbins turned around, picked up a steak knife from the kitchen counter and stuck Terry once, according to the warrant. Following the stabbing, Robbins said, Terry left the apartment, and Robbins called 911 to report the incident, the warrant stated.

On the afternoon of Oct. 12, Det. David Bennett conducted a body survey of Terry at Manchester Memorial Hospital, according to the warrant. In the body survey report, Bennett noted Terry’s front right pants pocket held a black DeWalt folding knife, the warrant said. Bennett estimated the length of the blade at 3.5 inches, the warrant said.

Investigators obtained a warrant for Robbins’ arrest on Thursday, according to the document. Robbins was taken into custody around 11:40 a.m. Monday and transported to Troop K headquarters for processing.

Robert Robbins