Crime & Safety

Former Windsor Locks Police Officer Accused of Killing Teen Rejects Plea Offer

Michael Koistinen, a former Windsor Locks police officer, is charged with striking 15-year-old Henry Dang with his car on October 29, 2010 and killing him.

UPDATED

Michael Koistinen, a former Windsor Locks police officer accused of striking and killing 15-year-old Henry Dang with his car on Oct. 29, 2010, rejected a plea offer from the state in Hartford Superior Court Friday.

, 25, of Suffield, is charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, and attempt to tamper with evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Nov. 23, 2010.

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State police allege the accident, in which Dang was struck at the corner of Spring and West streets while he was riding his bike, occurred after Koistinen spent much of the day drinking alcoholic beverages. Koistinen was off-duty when the accident happened, around midnight on October 29, 2010, according to police reports.

The case now goes on the firm jury trial list, and they must be prepared to start 24 hours after being contacted by the trial judge.

Find out what's happening in Windsor Locks-East Windsorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Raymond Hassett, Koistinen's attorney, said they felt the state's offer, which he declined to detail, was not a representative consideration of all of the facts of the case.

Hassett said they feel the state is neglecting to recognize extenuating circumstances in the case. He declined to specify what those circumstances are.

Hassett said they are prepared to go to trial. He expects the trial to start some time after January 1, 2012.

Koistinen's father, Robert Koistinen, rejected a plea offer Thursday, according to court records, and his case is now on firm jury list awaiting trial.

Robert Koistinen is a Windsor Locks police sergeant and has been on administrative leave with pay since the accident, his annual salary is $73,385. He pleaded not guilty in January to charges he interfered with the investigation of  the Oct. 2010 fatal accident in which his son, Michael, was involved.

The Windsor Locks Police Commission fired Michael Koistinen, a probationary officer, on Dec. 8, 2010.

In September, Dang's family reached settlements totaling $420,000 with the Koistinens, and the former owners of the tavern that served the Michael Koistinen alcohol.

Dang's mother Lien, and the family's attorney James Bartolini were present iin court Friday when Michael Koistinen rejected the plea.


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