HARTFORD, Conn. – A victim's angry brother attempted to attack a New Britain man appearing in court for the first time for the deaths of three teenage girls 20 years ago, prompting the judge to empty the courtroom.
Onlookers screamed and a man rushed toward 51-year-old Pedro Miranda as he was led into Hartford Superior Court. The man was restrained by judicial marshals and the judge ordered spectators to leave, but they were allowed to return when extra security arrived during Monday's hearing.
The judge ordered Miranda to be placed on a suicide watch. He is accused of multiple charges of capital felony and murder. He could face the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
Miranda is accused of killing 16-year-old Rosa Valentin in 1986, 13-year-old Mayra Cruz in 1987 and 17-year-old Carmen Lopez in 1988.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox