Guilty plea on eve of murder trial
Sebastian Tzampop pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Tuesday as he was about to go on trial in Superior Court for the Christmas Day 2013 murder of his roommate in New London.
Tzampop, 32, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, accepting a recommended sentence of up to 12 years in prison followed by five years' special parole.
He pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, which indicates he does not agree with the state's version of events but does not want to risk a lengthier sentence if convicted at trial.
Tzampop and the victim, 39-year-old Antonio Chajon, had emigrated from the same village in Guatemala and lived in the same apartment at 15 Hope St.
Police said Tzampop beat and strangled Chajon after a night of drinking. Tzampop initially said he didn't remember what happened, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Shown photos of Chajon's injuries, he allegedly told police he felt an "evil, spiritual presence" overtake him and started beating Chajon, who was asleep in bed.
The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that Chajon died of neck compression "with blunt injuries of head and trunk." In addition, he suffered multiple rib fractures, a lacerated liver, a broken hyoid bone in his neck and broken tracheal cartilage.
Tzampop had turned down prosecutor Paul J. Narducci's offer to plead guilty in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence. A jury was selected, and testimony was scheduled to begin Thursday. Plea discussions resumed this week after new evidence came to light in the case.
Under the plea agreement, defense attorney J. Patten Brown has the right to argue for a shorter prison term when Tzampop appears before Judge Hillary B. Strackbein for sentencing on December 16.
Tzampop has remained incarcerated while his case is pending.
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