CONN - Kevin Campbell of Torrington to Face Sentencing Monday for 2008 Motorcycle Club Murder.

OFF THE WIRE
LITCHFIELD — June 27, 2008 is long past, and while it may not be a day ingrained into most folks’ minds, a handful of motorcycle club members, one family and one convicted murderer will remember it for the rest of their lives. For the latter, the rest of his life could be spent behind bars.
Kevin P. Campbell, a 57-year-old former Marine and self-employed small business owner, was found guilty by a jury on Jan. 30 for the murder of his self-proclaimed “friend” and former Forbidden Motorcycle Club member in Roland Lagasse. The jury decided that Campbell, who argued self-defense, was at fault — purposely pulling the trigger of a .38 Smith & Wesson revolver, sending a bullet through Lagasse’s heart, lung and finding its final resting place near his spinal column, six inches above its entry point.
On Tuesday, Campbell will limp into Litchfield Superior Court, with his prosthetic leg holding him up and public defenders by his side, as he faces between 30 to 60 years in prison. Lagasse’s surviving family is expected to take the stand and speak their peace to Campbell before presiding Judge James P. Ginocchio pounds his gavel.
Since his arrest in 2008, Campbell has been incarcerated; being held on a $2 million bond. The three-week trial earlier this year was Campbell’s second attempt at freedom, following a 2009 mistrial due to a hung jury.
January’s jury was far from hesitant in levying their sentence on Campbell.
The 12-member jury inside Litchfield’s 19th century courthouse began deliberations late on a Thursday afternoon, followed by an entire session of behind-closed-doors decisions the following day.
Jurors took a break over that weekend and returned early Monday morning with a verdict.
The incident leading to Lagasse’s death began over another member’s one-year patch on his motorcycle vest. Campbell’s brother engaged in a verbal altercation with Lagasse, which led the five-member club outside their red barn-style clubhouse in Burrville Center to settle the fight “old school,” according to one eyewitness.
Testimony revealed that Lagasse struck Campbell’s brother once, knocking him to the ground. Campbell then pulled out his pistol and shot Lagasse in his chest.
The defendant told the court Lagasse shoved him, and because of his prosthetic leg, he fell to the ground, gun drawn, and accidentally pulled the trigger.
Lagasse’s mother, who sat through the entire trial, told the Register Citizen following the verdict that the decision was a long time coming and that she found some peace in the judicial process that will put her son’s murderer in jail.

“I’m very relieved. Very, very relieved,” said Rose Lagasse. “Justice has been served at this point. I have no remorse for [Campbell].”

Reach Ricky Campbell by e-mail at rcampbell@registercitizen.com, on Twitter @rickycampbellRC, or by phone at (860) 489-3121 x343. Follow us online at registercitizen.com and on Twitter @RegisterCitizen.