Ellington man sentenced for wife’s murder in ‘Fitbit’ case

VERNON, CT (WFSB) - A nearly 7-year-old murder case that made national headlines came to a close on Thursday.

Richard Dabate, who was found guilty back in May of murdering his wife Connie Dabate, was sentenced to 65 years in prison at court in Vernon.

Friends and family of Connie Dabate reacted outside of the courtroom.

“I just feel this surge from up above,” said Cindi Margotta, Connie Dabate’s mother. “I feel this strength coming to me right now through all of us. She’s here.”

“He stole our best friend,” said Darlene Beaudry, Connie Dabate’s friend. “He robbed our children of their best friends.”

Prosecutors and Richard Dabate’s defense spent five weeks going back and forth in a trial.

However, it took a jury less than 24 hours to decide that the Ellington man was guilty of killing his wife, Connie Dabate, a few days before Christmas in 2015.

Prosecutors argued that Richard Dabate’s story of a deadly home invasion fell apart when data from Connie Dabate’s Fitbit fitness tracking device showed the mother of two children walking around after the time Richard Dabate claimed she was killed.

They also argued that he killed his wife because he was cheating on her and had gotten his mistress pregnant.

Experts said that data helped the jury come to its quick verdict in the trial back in May.

Connie Dabate’s family at the time said justice was served, but the case forced them to relive the painful memories.

Richard Dabate was not only convicted of murder, but also tampering with evidence and lying to police.

He had faced a penalty of 25 years to life in prison.

Following Thursday’s sentencing, Richard Dabate’s attorney said they plan to appeal.

“He’s steadfast in his innocence and dedicated to proving his innocence,” said Trent LaLima, Richard Dabate’s attorney.

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