HARTFORD — After being imprisoned for almost three decades, Richard Lapointe, 69, has been released on $250,000 bond, of which 10% needed to be paid.
A hearing was held Friday in Hartford Superior Court for the mentally disabled man, who served 26 years behind bars for the 1987 rape and murder of his then-wife's 88 year old grandmother. Bernice Martin was found raped, stabbed and strangled in her burning Manchester apartment.
Lapointe was freed on bail after last month's State Supreme Court ruling that he did not get a fair trial.
While released, he is to have no contact with the victim's family--including his son--and he has a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Outside court, with his attorneys leading him away, Lapointe said the first thing he wanted to eat as a free man was a steak.
Lapointe wore a black t-shirt with the words "I didn't do it" across the chest.
The higher court ruled on March 31 that Lapointe was deprived of a fair trial because prosecutors failed to disclose notes by a police officer that may have supported an alibi defense.
Later, during a press conference at the Hartford Hilton, Lapointe revealed that he didn't know his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, won three World Series titles while he was behind bars. He also talked about how he survived after all those years behind bars. "I just kept thinking I'm going home, I'm going home, I'm going home," Lapointe said.
Prosecutors did not oppose a bond. They have to report back on May 15 to reveal where their review of evidence and witnesses stand.
Lapointe's attorneys said they think prosecutors will drop their case against the man.