by News Channel 8's Alan Cohn
Posted June 24, 2008
Updated 5:40 PM

Manchester (WTNH) _ State police have arrested a man in connection with the deaths of two men whose bodies were found along I-384 in Manchester and Bolton.

Jokshan Bryant, 29, of New Britain, was arrested late Monday night, state police said.

He's charged with two counts of murder and is locked up on $5 million bond. He was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court Tuesday afternoon and almost immediately both the prosecutor and the defense attorney moved to seal the arrest warrant in the case.

But Bryant's defense attorney, Deron Freeman, says witnesses in the case are not very credible.

"Some of the allegations against my client are by admitted drug users, and they admit that in the police report, and those are some of the witnesses against my client," Freeman said.

Bryant is accused of killing Ronald Brown, 42, of Bristol, and Eric Kimberly, 37, of Torrington. Their bodies were found along highway on-ramps on I-384 in Manchester and Bolton Sunday morning.

Autopsy reports show Brown died of a gunshot wound. He was found wrapped in plastic. Kimberly died from blunt force trauma injuries.

Brown's last known address was Sonstrom Road in Bristol, but a relative living there said that was not his home, and had, in fact, been released from a state prison just six days earlier. The relative added Brown had battled with a drug addiction for years.

State police say Kimberly was living in a multi-family home in Torrington. Sources tell us he was living with his girlfriend and they had one child together.

Outside the courthouse, a relative of one of the victims told News Channel 8 more about the trio's relationship.

"They were friends, yes," said Cynthia Hawk, a cousin of Ronald Brown.
"You've seen the defendant before?"
"Yes, numerous times," Hawk responded.
"What do you think happened?"
"I don't know," Hawk said.

Police did not give a motive for the killings.

Source:

Last update: 12-01-2008 18:43