Connecticut man sentenced for injuring ex and fatally stabbing her male friend during confrontation

HARTFORD, Conn. (TCD) — A 47-year-old man will spend over five decades behind bars for assaulting his ex-girlfriend and fatally stabbing her friend in 2020.

Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott announced Jan. 17 that a judge sentenced Troy Hayes to 55 years in prison for the 2020 murder of Dyshawn Copeland, as well as the first-degree assault of a second victim. A jury found Hayes guilty of the charges on Sept. 25, 2023.

According to the state’s attorney’s office, on the evening of May 21, 2020, officers responded to 40 Sherman St. after a female victim called 911 and reported that she and her friend had been stabbed. At the scene, officers located Copeland on the steps inside of the building, and he and the female victim were transported to a hospital, where Copeland died from his injuries.

The female victim reportedly told detectives she and Copeland were inside her apartment waiting for food delivery. When they believed the driver had arrived, the female victim opened the door and found Hayes instead.

According to the state’s attorney’s office, Hayes then entered the home, and “the female victim ran after him as Hayes rushed to her apartment to confront Mr. Copeland.”

Hayes reportedly “poured wine over Mr. Copeland’s head and fatally stabbed him.” He also tried stabbing his ex, causing stab wounds to her arm.

The Hartford Courant reports the suspect and the woman allegedly used to date, but Hayes did not know Copeland.

The state’s attorney’s office said multiple witnesses testified in court, claiming they noticed a man riding a red scooter in the area at the time of the attack, which was later shown on surveillance footage to be Hayes.

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