Bristol man found guilty of murder in fatally stabbing of longtime girlfriend in 2020
A Bristol man with a history of domestic violence convictions was found guilty of murder on Monday for fatally stabbing his longtime girlfriend in 2020.
Kevin Bard, 57, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury in New Britain of murder, three counts of criminal violation of a protective order and criminal violation of a standing protective order, according to a release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice on Monday.
The conviction stems from the death of Catherine Streeto-Michaud, 58, of Bristol on Dec. 13, 2020. The trial began three years to the day that Streeto-Michaud lost her life.
Bristol police in 2020 said Bard called several friends and relatives to confess to what he had done. A friend of Bard’s was the first to report to police that Bard told him he killed his girlfriend, according to the Bristol Police Department.
Police headed to Bard’s house on Vance Drive in Bristol. When officers arrived, Bard was reportedly sitting on the couch, talking on the phone.
“He was making other phone calls, letting other people know what he had done,” Bristol Det. Lt. Kevin Morrell said in 2020.
Police: Bristol man fatally stabbed girlfriend and called friends, relatives, to tell them
Police said they searched the house and found Streeto-Michaud in a bedroom with a single, fatal stab wound and placed Bard under arrest. Officers at the time alleged that Bard was not emotional or remorseful and they believed he was intoxicated.
Bard and his girlfriend had a long history of domestic violence, according to police. He had 10 previous convictions in Superior Court, including several for violation of a protective order, according to court records.
New Britain Superior Court Judge Christopher Pelosi scheduled Bard’s sentencing for Feb. 15, 2024.
“State’s Attorney (Christian M.) Watson wishes to extend his condolences to the surviving family of Ms. Streeto-Michaud and hopes that this verdict allows them to gain some sort of closure for this senseless act of violence,” the DCJ said in the release.
Watson also extended gratitude to the Western District Major Crime Squad, the Bristol Police Department, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services “who tirelessly pursued this case,” as well as the prosecutor, Assistant State’s Attorney Abby Marchinkoski, and Inspector Edward Apicella, “whose dedication to pursuing the interest of justice was unflappable.”