Jonathon Edington
Encyclopedia
Jonathon Edington is a Fairfield, Connecticut
, United States
, patent lawyer who achieved national notoriety when, on August 28, 2006, he murdered his neighbor, Barry James, after being told that James had molested Edington's two-year-old daughter. There has been no evidence found that Barry James molested Edington's daughter or anyone else. On August 30 Edington was released on $1 million bond
. It was widely expected that Edington would attempt to mount a psychiatric defense at his murder trial, however Edington instead pled guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on August 31, 2007.
The story had generated a large amount of press coverage in the United States and overseas.
, and received his J.D.
from Fordham Law School in New York City
in 2004. He practiced patent law at a small firm in Fairfield.
with her daughter visiting relatives when the murder took place. The girl had just told Mrs. Edington when she immediately called to inform her husband, Jonathon Edington. According to the affidavit, within minutes Edington went next door to 101 Colony Street in Fairfield
, where he found Barry James, 59, and stabbed him thirteen times in the heart, chest and hand. He died about an hour later at Bridgeport Hospital
.
James' estate hired attorney Peter Ambrose, who issued a statement on behalf of the James family that disputed the allegations: "The family of Barry James stand together in defending the unfounded allegations of molestation. They are vicious and hurtful, and the family only wishes that their son and brother had the opportunity to defend himself. When all of the facts are made known, we are confident that Barry will be cleared of these allegations."
On October 10, 2006, Edington pled "not guilty" to all charges. On October 19, 2006, the Fairfield police concluded that James did not molest Edington's daughter. Further, after investigating the molestation allegation and saying they found no evidence to back it up, they also revealed that Edington's wife, Christina, refused to cooperate with the investigation into the slaying, and prosecutor Jonathan Benedict has said a defense psychiatrist determined Edington's wife suffered from postpartum depression.
In June 2007, Edington pled guilty to a reduced charge of first degree manslaughter. He was sentenced Friday, August 31, 2007, to 12 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter. Prosecutor Jonathon Benedict had recommended that Edington serve 20 years in prison. The judge suspended eight years of that, leaving 12 years to serve, plus five years probation.
against Edington's property. The lien would be used to secure any verdict reached against Edington. James' 87-year-old mother lived with him and would be a beneficiary of the estate. She is legally blind and discovered the body. After she showed police the body, they found Edington at home in his kitchen with blood on his hands and forearms, authorities said. An attorney for the Jameses served Christina Edington with a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing her of triggering the stabbing and making up the abuse claim. A similar lawsuit is pending against Edington.
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, patent lawyer who achieved national notoriety when, on August 28, 2006, he murdered his neighbor, Barry James, after being told that James had molested Edington's two-year-old daughter. There has been no evidence found that Barry James molested Edington's daughter or anyone else. On August 30 Edington was released on $1 million bond
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
. It was widely expected that Edington would attempt to mount a psychiatric defense at his murder trial, however Edington instead pled guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on August 31, 2007.
The story had generated a large amount of press coverage in the United States and overseas.
Background
Edington studied engineering at Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, and received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Fordham Law School in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 2004. He practiced patent law at a small firm in Fairfield.
Criminal case
Court documents released on September 12, 2006 state that a 2-year-old girl had complained to her mother, Christina Edington, that her neighbor, Barry James, had repeatedly molested her. Christina Edington was in Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
with her daughter visiting relatives when the murder took place. The girl had just told Mrs. Edington when she immediately called to inform her husband, Jonathon Edington. According to the affidavit, within minutes Edington went next door to 101 Colony Street in Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, where he found Barry James, 59, and stabbed him thirteen times in the heart, chest and hand. He died about an hour later at Bridgeport Hospital
Bridgeport Hospital
Bridgeport Hospital is a private, not-for-profit general medical and surgical hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is a member of the Yale New Haven Health System, and affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine.-Description:...
.
James' estate hired attorney Peter Ambrose, who issued a statement on behalf of the James family that disputed the allegations: "The family of Barry James stand together in defending the unfounded allegations of molestation. They are vicious and hurtful, and the family only wishes that their son and brother had the opportunity to defend himself. When all of the facts are made known, we are confident that Barry will be cleared of these allegations."
On October 10, 2006, Edington pled "not guilty" to all charges. On October 19, 2006, the Fairfield police concluded that James did not molest Edington's daughter. Further, after investigating the molestation allegation and saying they found no evidence to back it up, they also revealed that Edington's wife, Christina, refused to cooperate with the investigation into the slaying, and prosecutor Jonathan Benedict has said a defense psychiatrist determined Edington's wife suffered from postpartum depression.
In June 2007, Edington pled guilty to a reduced charge of first degree manslaughter. He was sentenced Friday, August 31, 2007, to 12 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter. Prosecutor Jonathon Benedict had recommended that Edington serve 20 years in prison. The judge suspended eight years of that, leaving 12 years to serve, plus five years probation.
Civil case
The estate of Barry James filed an order in the Bridgeport Superior Court for a $5 million dollar lienLien
In law, a lien is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation...
against Edington's property. The lien would be used to secure any verdict reached against Edington. James' 87-year-old mother lived with him and would be a beneficiary of the estate. She is legally blind and discovered the body. After she showed police the body, they found Edington at home in his kitchen with blood on his hands and forearms, authorities said. An attorney for the Jameses served Christina Edington with a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing her of triggering the stabbing and making up the abuse claim. A similar lawsuit is pending against Edington.