NORWICH--Jean Jacques, an undocumented immigrant from Haiti, was found guilty in the murder of 25-year-old Casey Chadwick of Norwich. Chadwick was found stabbed to death in a closet in her apartment in June 2015.
The nearly two-week trial ended with the jury handing down its guilty verdict on Monday. Chadwick’s mother, Wendy Hartling, said Jacques’ account of what happened remained inconsistent throughout the trial. Hartling added that Casey’s blood was found on Jacques' jeans and sneakers and that Jacques’ blood was in Casey’s apartment.
Hartling said the verdict was bittersweet. “I was happy that they convicted him of murder, and I cried because I still don’t have my daughter,” said Hartling.
Although Jacques has been found guilty, further questions remain. “We’ve got to find out why he wasn’t deported,” said Hartling. Federal authorities failed multiple times to deport Jacques, who also served 16 years for an unrelated attempted murder.
In November 2015, Sen. Richard Blumenthal asked the Federal Office of the Inspector General to investigate how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement handled Jacques’ case. A spokesperson for Blumenthal told FOX 61 on Monday that there are no updates in the investigation.
Hartling keeps in contact with other parents whose children have also been murdered by illegal immigrants. “Welcome to the club that nobody wants to belong to,” said Hartling, when describing the group. “They have to do something because it happens more than you know.”
While Hartling continues to fight, she also tries to cope with her grief. “I just look at her pictures all the time,” said Hartling. “I miss her. And I talk to her, too. I talk to Casey all the time.”
Hartling plans to speak during Jacques’ sentencing, which is scheduled for June 6.