Ex-Milford cop wins new trial in death of 2 Orange teens Two Orange teens died in 2009

MILFORD >> The state Appellate Court has ordered a new trial for former city police Officer Jason Anderson on two charges in the deaths of a pair of Orange residents, both 19.

Anderson was driving a police cruiser six years ago that crashed into a car on the Boston Post Road in Orange.

Anderson could face one count of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle in the death of the driver, David Servin, and one count of misconduct with a motor vehicle in the death of Servin’s passenger, Ashlie Krakowksi.

The three-judge appellate panel decided that Anderson did not get a fair trial as it related to instructions given to the jury by Superior Court Judge Denise Markle, Anderson’s trial attorney, Hugh F. Keefe, said Monday.

It found Markle committed a “reversible error,” said Keefe, of New Haven.

“The Appellate Court should have directed a verdict of not-guilty on everything, and ended the case here but, short of that,” Keefe said, he’ll take a reversal and a new trial.

Sitting with his attorney, Hugh F. Keefe, left, former Milford police Officer Jason Anderson listens during sentencing proceedings at Superior Court in Milford on Jan. 16, 2013. Sitting with his attorney, Hugh F. Keefe, left, former Milford police Officer Jason Anderson listens during sentencing proceedings at Superior Court in Milford on Jan. 16, 2013. Photo: (Pool Photo/Brian A. Pounds/Connecticut Post) Photo: (Pool Photo/Brian A. Pounds/Connecticut Post) Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Ex-Milford cop wins new trial in death of 2 Orange teens 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“Yeah, there’s going to be a trial. How many times does a jury have to acquit Officer Anderson?” Keefe said.

Anderson was convicted by a jury in 2012 of reckless driving and two counts of misconduct with a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to five years in prison in early 2013 and is free on bond.

According to police, Anderson was driving 94 mph at 2:15 a.m. June 13, 2009, when his cruiser hit Servin’s car. Anderson was not responding to an emergency, and he did not have lights or sirens activated.

Servin was intoxicated, and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent, the panel’s decision said.

“The case could go to the state Supreme Court for review of the Appellate Court decision,” Keefe said.

The prosecutor, Milford State’s Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor, said Monday the state was disappointed with the ruling.

“The Appellate Unit at the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office will review the opinions and we’ll make our decision about our next steps, including appealing to the Connecticut Supreme Court,” Lawlor said.

Milford Police Chief Keith L. Mello deferred questions to the state’s attorney’s office.

Servin’s mother, Susan Servin, said the next move was up to the state.

“It was over for us on June 13, 2009, now it’s up to the prosecutor to decide the proper course of action,” Servin said in an email Monday.

The city reportedly agreed to pay $2.5 million to Servin’s estate. Krakowski’s estate reportedly received $2.8 million after expenses from the city’s insurer.