TORRINGTON, Conn. — A Connecticut family left to grieve for over a year and half finally got to see their loved one’s alleged killer go before a judge.
The family of the victims, 16 year old Marcus Rodgers and his grandfather, 84 year old William O’Leary, say they want justice and accountability.
25 year old Glen Ragin was arraigned in Torrington Superior Court Friday. His attorney calls it an accident while the Rogers family calls it reckless.
You might remember Marcus Rogers. He’s the pilot who transported the U.S. honor flag to Connecticut following the death of State Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier. He’s also the father of 16-year-old Marcus Rogers Jr., who was killed with his grandfather by an allegedly reckless driver in Winsted in 2023.
“My son was on his way to hockey practice with his grandfather and he was just driving to a practice, and a reckless driver driving on the wrong side of the road at a high rate of speed took my son and his grandfather's life,” explained Rodgers.
RELATED: Beyond coincidence - U.S. Honor Flag flown to CT by a CT pilot who lost his son to a reckless driver
On this day, the Rogers family, friends and strangers gathered in solidarity inside Torrington Superior Court as the man allegedly behind the wheel, 25-year-old Glen Ragin, was arraigned on two counts of manslaughter.
“I couldn’t begin to comprehend. I have a 12 and 10-year-old, and losing a 16-year-old, I can’t even think about it,” remarked Atty. Ryan Henry, who represents the Rodgers family in a civil suit.
It took a year and a half for Ragin to face the judge for his Connecticut crime. That’s because he’s not only facing crimes in Connecticut. He was extradited from incarceration in Florida, where he’s serving time for a sex crime.
“He’s remorseful. He accepts responsibility, and I think he will express that remorse to the family,” remarked Ragin’s Atty. Darnell Crossland.
FOX61 secured Ragin’s arrest warrant, which details how investigators “did not observe active evidence of impairment.”
But officers did find “an opened liquor bottle” and ”paraphernalia associated with marijuana use.”
“It’s a very unfortunate accident,” said Crossland.
“This was reckless conduct. This goes beyond what an accident is. There’s no way I would ever call this an accident,” rebutted Henry.
Ragin will be back in court in September. His attorney tells me he doesn’t expect this case to go to trial.
Separately from the criminal case, Ragin is also being sued civilly. The Rodgers family didn’t want to speak on camera but told FOX61 they have faith in the justice system.
----
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.