Statement from Sen. Kissel on the Lord v. Padro Case, Calls for Accountability and Answers

HARTFORD, CT — In response to information brought to light regarding the Lord v. Padro case, State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee which will review the matter Friday at 10:00 A.M, is calling for urgent transparency and accountability following the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in state custody.

“The details in the Lord v. Padro case are deeply disturbing. A man lost his life while in state custody, and to this day, there are still unanswered questions about what happened, why it happened, and how we can be certain that it will not happen again.

When incidents like this occur, we expect a thorough investigation, clear answers, and meaningful action. Yet, instead of transparency, this case has been clouded with uncertainty.

We like to believe that tragedies like this couldn’t happen here in Connecticut, that our system has the necessary safeguards in place to prevent such a failure. But this case proves otherwise. If this could happen once, what prevents it from happening again? What if this had happened in your town’s police station lock-up? What if it was your son or daughter? A loved one? A neighbor? These are not abstract concerns—this is about real people and real lives. A person was placed into the custody of the state and was later found dead. That fact alone should alarm every single one of us.

Adding to the gravity of this situation is the financial burden that will soon be placed on Connecticut taxpayers. Coming before the Judiciary committee this week, we will be asked to approve a $3.75 million settlement, a substantial sum that every resident of Connecticut will ultimately pay. But the real issue is not just the financial cost, it’s the human cost. A failure of the system led to a death, and rather than receiving clear answers, the public is being asked to simply accept a settlement and move on. That is not acceptable.”