GRISWOLD, CT (WFSB) -
The man accused of stabbing and killing his brother during a dispute at a Jewett City home appeared before a judge Wednesday afternoon.
Jeffrey Savoy, 22, is behind bars in lieu of a $1 million bond after police said he stabbed his brother, 27-year-old John Coddington, in the neck during a fight at their home Tuesday morning.
The fight occurred after Savoy tried to take Coddington, his girlfriend and two children to a relative's house. However, Coddington claimed that it would not be permitted under his restraining order.
Connecticut State Police received a 911 call about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after Coddington ran to the nearby Bestway Gas Station and Convenience Store covered in blood and begging for help.
Surveillance video showed Coddington in the store. Witnesses attempted to treat him on the ground, but he collapsed into his girlfriend's arms.
"It was normal," said the brothers' aunt, Jennifer Williams. "They would argue, punch each other, maybe, but never would I have thought this ever."
Witnesses said they heard people yelling "why did you do that" followed by a black Dodge Durango speeding off with about four people inside as it headed toward Plainfield.
Coddington was rushed to Backus Hospital in Norwich where he later died from his injures.
Savoy was found hiding at his sister's home and both were placed under arrest.
Savoy was charged with manslaughter and was arraigned in Norwich Superior Court Wednesday afternoon. Following court proceedings, he is being held on a $1 million bond.
It was an especially emotional day at court for Kimberly Bewlay, who is the girlfriend of Coddington.
"I trying to be strong for my kids and try to be strong for his family," she said. "Right now, we need each other."
Bewlay, who was visibly shaking during the proceedings, told Eyewitness News that the incident has been tough on her son, Jahtel.
"It's hard, he looks just like his dad," she said.
Bewlay, who tried to stop the bleeding outside of the store, blamed the slow response time of the ambulance.
"I just think like he was treated unfairly," she said. "I think there is more to it than what we know."
Williams said the family is trying to be there for the mother of the two men, who is now dealing with the loss of one son, and the other behind bars, accused of killing him. The mother has not slept since the incident, relatives told Eyewitness News.
"What (Savoy) did was wrong," Williams said. "We're always going to be there for him. We're his family. But he can't forget what he did to his own brother."
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