Man Convicted Of Killing Wife After Crucial Evidence Found On Fitbit
A case against Richard Dabate, who killed his wife in 2015, was partially built on evidence gathered on the woman's Fitbit.
Dabate, from Connecticut, was convicted on Tuesday, 10 May, and was was found guilty of all three charges against him – murder, tampering with evidence and making a false statement to authorities.
On 23 December, 2015, the 45-year-old claimed a man broke into their home, tied him up, and then shot and killed his wife Connie Dabate.
The man, from Ellington in Tolland County, went far as to say the supposed killer was dressed in camouflage and had a voice like Vin Diesel.
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However, officials later found valuable data on Connie's Fitbit smart watch which contradicted Dabate's story, reports The Independent.
Data stored on the Fitbit showed that Connie was still moving around for an hour after the time her husband said she was shot.
Dabate said he found the intruder in their second-floor bedroom around 9:05am. It was later discovered that her Fitbit continued to register movement until about 10:05am.
Prosecutor Matthew Gedansky revealed that Dabate had planned the killing of his wife and even staged a home invasion after it was alleged that he was said to be having an affair with another woman.
As reported by The Middletown Press, Gedansky said: "The thorough and thoughtful examination of technology was key to this investigation and was significant in proving that the defendant was guilty of this crime.
"In the end, though, this was another case of domestic violence. And though much progress has been made in recent years to support victims and survivors and to hold abusers accountable, these domestic violence homicides are still happening so we must continue to work together to end domestic violence."
Wayne Rioux, a spokesperson for Connie's family said: "The trial was not about Fitbit. The trial was about the cold-blooded, planned murder of Connie Margotta Dabate.
"There will be no closure for the Margotta family, but there is finally justice for Connie."
Connie enjoyed scrapbooking, volunteering and helping her friends and family while showing a keen sense of humor along the way, Rioux said.
She 'brought joy to all who knew her,' he continued.
"Her smile lit up the room and her laughter was infectious. She was humble, and performed acts of kindness without recognition.
"Her generosity and compassion for those in need were her trademark."
"This murderer has been convicted as he should be," Rioux wrote. "Hopefully, Judge Klatt will take Connie’s life sentence into consideration during the penalty phase and sentence this murderer to life behind bars, where he will no longer be able to cause the pain suffered by the Margotta family to anyone else."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Anish Vij