Suspect In Trooper’s Death Heads To Connecticut Courtroom [The Hartford Courant, Conn.]

Sept. 14--HARTFORD -- Michael Pajak, the driver accused of killing Trooper First Class Kenneth Hall by crashing into his patrol car, will face a Connecticut judge on manslaughter charges today.

Pajak arrived Monday at the Troop H barracks in Hartford -- wearing Hall's handcuffs -- shortly after 2:10 p.m. He made no comment as he was escorted into the barracks by Trooper William Telford and Det. Ralph Medina.

One state trooper who had been standing nearby embraced another trooper after Pajak was brought into the building.

Pajak, 32, had been brought from Burlington, Vt., where he had waived his right to an extradition hearing during a morning court appearance.

Once in Hartford, state police arrested him on a warrant charging him with five crimes: first-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and driving under the influence, Lt. J. Paul Vance said.

He was expected to spend the night at the Lafayette Street Courthouse lockup in Hartford and to be arraigned today at Superior Court in Enfield, Vance said. His bail was set at $1 million.

Pajak was arrested Thursday in Waterville, Vt., on a fugitive charge. He was there with relatives, said his attorney, James E. Sulick. Sulick said his client was not fleeing charges.

Pajak, of Enfield, has had 10 license suspensions, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. He also has had at least two arrests on charges of driving while intoxicated, according to court records.

Hall, a 22-year veteran, was in his parked patrol car on the shoulder of I-91 in Enfield when a Dodge pickup truck driven by Pajak crashed into it Sept. 2. Hall had been filling out paperwork after pulling over another driver.

Hall's funeral Friday at the State Armory in Hartford drew thousands of state troopers and police officers from throughout the country.

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