Koistinens' Cases Continued to May

The cases of Michael and Robert Koistinen have been continued until May 5, but court officials will be researching if there are any conflicts of interest with their legal representation.

 Former Windsor Locks police officer Michael Koistinen, 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 in Hartford Superior Court.

 Fifteen-year-old Henry Dang was killed when he was hit by a car driven by Michael Koistinen, then an off-duty Windsor Locks police officer, who state police allege was drinking for several hours before the accident.

 Robert Koistinen, 53, 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. 29 fatal accident in which his son was involved.

 Hartford Superior Court Judge David P. Gold said Thursday that during their next appearance he will canvass the defendants as to whether they feel a conflict of interest may arise in the future with their attorneys.

Elliot Spector originally represented Michael Koistinen after the fatal accident, when Robert Koistinen was arrested Spector became his attorney as well.

At their February 10 court appearance, Michael Koistinen retained the services of attorney Ray Haslett and Spector remained Robert Koistinen’s lawyer.

 The report from an independent investigation of the Windsor Locks Police Department’s actions after that fatal October accident involving a former officer should be complete by April, the town’s labor attorney told the police commission earlier this month.