GIST: "Twelve jurors Tuesday found Bobby Griffin Jr. guilty of murder and three other counts in the shooting death of Nathaniel Bradley five years ago in New Haven. In addition, Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale found Griffin guilty of criminal possession of a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Griffin was not allowed to have a weapon. During their closing arguments last Friday, the two prosecutors displayed the assault rifle that was used to shoot Bradley twice in the back during an attempted robbery at the corner of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Goffe Terrace the night of Oct. 14, 2013. The rifle was found in Griffin’s attic when police executed a search and seizure warrant. Griffin, 25, of Peck Street, was convicted by the jury of felony murder (causing a death in the course of another crime, such as robbery), murder, attempted first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. Vitale set a tentative sentencing date of May 8 and raised Griffin’s bond from $1 million to $2.5 million. Griffin faces a potential sentence of more than 100 years. During his summation of the prosecution’s case last Friday morning, Assistant State’s Attorney Sean McGuinness cited Nathan L. Johnson’s testimony that Griffin wanted to rob somebody. And so he arranged to have Bradley, 36, of Hamden, come to that Boulevard corner to sell some marijuana. But Johnson said Griffin came out of a nearby alley brandishing the assault rifle, pointed it at Bradley and told him: “Run everything.” This is street talk for “give me everything you’ve got.” Johnson quoted Bradley replying, “You can have everything” and turning to get back into his car. At that point, Griffin shot him twice. Johnson testified he didn’t understand why Griffin had shot Bradley. But McGuinness said in his closing argument that Griffin “had been disrespected” and was so angry he fired at Bradley with the intent of killing him. Defense attorney Wade Luckett had argued the state lacked forensic evidence and had relied on Johnson’s account as well as Griffin’s police statement. Luckett said Johnson was not credible because he had entered into a cooperation agreement with the state. Prosecutors dropped a felony murder charge and Johnson pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. He faces a prison sentence of up to 30 years. Griffin testified in his own defense last Thursday, saying Johnson had shot Bradley. Griffin said he ran from the scene and later accepted the rifle from Johnson. As for Griffin’s confession to two police detectives under about 3 1/2 hours of questioning, Griffin said the detectives kept pressuring him until “I thought I had no choice.” The videotape of the interview showed one of the detectives telling Griffin he could “fry” or get “the chair” and so had better cooperate. However, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. reminded jurors in his closing argument that detectives had read Griffin his Miranda rights to remain silent and ask for an attorney; he signed the form and agreed to begin answering questions. They had also told him he could stop the questioning at any time."

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