HARTFORD, Conn. (May. 18, 2026) –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family of Steven “Stevie” Jones, issued the following statement and announced a Tuesday news conference in response to former Hartford Police Officer Joseph Magnano being charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the Feb. 27 shooting death of Jones:
“The charging of this officer is a necessary and meaningful step toward accountability for Stevie Jones and his family. Stevie was in the middle of a mental health crisis, and instead of receiving the care he needed, he was shot nine times. This charge reflects what the family has known all along, that what happened to Stevie was not justified.
“But accountability does not end with one charge. We will continue to push for the Steven Jones Law, because his death must mean something beyond this courtroom. No family should ever have to bury a loved one because the systems meant to help them failed them so completely. We will not rest until his legacy produces real, lasting change.”
News conference details:
WHO:
Family of Steven Jones
Attorney Ben Crump
Attorney Chance Lynch
Scott X. Esdaile, president, Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
11:30 a.m. ET
WHERE:
Connecticut NAACP Office
Gold Building
755 Main St.
1st Floor Conference Room
Hartford, CT
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected]
ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
