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Staff Writer

Lisa Backus

Lisa Backus is a local, state and national award-winning crime reporter who covers breaking news and criminal justice policy for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. When she's not working she can be found hanging out with her animal companions Spot and Morgan and her six grandchildren.

Stories By Lisa Backus

Woman accused of conspiring with CT state trooper due in court

Amanda Marino, the woman accused of conspiring with Connecticut State Police Trooper Mitchell Paz to access confidential information, will appear in court today. Lisa Backus

Official: DCF alerted to CT children weeks before fatal NY crash

Connecticut DCF official says agency interviewed four of the Derby children killed in Scarsdale, N.Y. crash at the request of New York Child Protective Services. Liz Hardaway, Lisa Backus

Official: Driver in crash that killed 5 CT kids was unlicensed

Westchester County Police identified the five Derby children, ranging in age from 8 to 17, killed in fiery crash on Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale, N.Y. Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski, Lisa Backus

Warrant: CT trooper helped drug dealer who sold cocaine at bar

Connecticut State Police Trooper Mitchell Paz used agency's computer to obtain information on drug probe targeting the owner of a Waterbury bar, warrant shows. Lisa Backus

CT man accused of killing daughter speaks in court for first time

Christopher Francisquini, the Naugatuck man accused of killing his 11-month-old daughter, appeared in court on Friday. Lisa Backus

Records: Ex-CT cop accused of writing fake tickets decertified

Edgar Gonzalez, accused of writing fake traffic tickets, is the fourth Norwalk police officer to be decertified in Connecticut since 2022, records show. Lisa Backus

Michelle Troconis, defendant in Dulos case, wants GSP removed

Michelle Troconis, one of two remaining defendants in the Jennifer Dulos case, is again seeking to get her court-ordered GPS removed. Lisa Backus

Warrant: Suspended state trooper helped girlfriend ID informant

Connecticut State Police Trooper Mitchell Paz used agency's computer so girlfriend could identify informant who helped arrest father of her child, warrant says. Lisa Backus

'Jane Doe' driver added as defendant in Randy Cox lawsuit

An unknown female driver, who was at the intersection where Randy Cox was injured, has been added as a defendant in his lawsuit against New Haven police. Lisa Backus

Former CT man wanted on child porn charges captured in Texas

A former Connecticut man who skipped out on child porn charges in 2012 was captured by U.S. Marshals and Connecticut State Police at the Mexico border. Lisa Backus

Officials condemn hate flyers left in CT city's neighborhoods

Stamford officials, community groups and residents are denouncing hate flyers left in the Springdale, Pepper Ridge and Belltown neighborhoods over the weekend. Lisa Backus

Witness: 'Help, I'm shot,' victim said who collapsed at CT store

An 18-year-old who showed up at a Cromwell gas station after being shot may have graduated from Middletown High School, officials said. Lisa Backus

Warrant: Parents knew minors were drinking before CT teen's death

Shelton parents Paul and Susanna Leifer knew teens were drinking at their home before fatal stabbing of Fairfield Prep student James McGrath, warrant shows. Lisa Backus

Police: Armed carjacking suspect arrested after crash in CT

Waterford officers spotted a New London armed carjacking suspect and wound up catching the man after he crashed on Route 85, police said. Lisa Backus

Report: Former Memphis cop from CT beat Tyre Nichols with baton

Former Memphis Police Officer Desmond Mills Jr., a Bloomfield High grad, beat Tyre Nichols with baton and lied to his mom about what happened, report shows. Lisa Backus

Police: Marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms seized at CT vape shops

Two men were arrested and nearly 3 pounds of marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms were seized at three Norwalk vape shops, police said. Lisa Backus

Police: Video shows 'persons of interest' in CT homicide

Bridgeport police released video of "persons of interest" seen with Justin Castro before teen is accused of killing a food delivery driver. Lisa Backus, Daniel Tepfer

Police: Fire truck struck by car on CT highway

A New Haven fire truck was struck by a car on Interstate 91 southbound near exit 7 after responding to an earlier crash, state police said. Lisa Backus

Police: Two guns seized after standoff with man at CT home

Ansonia police say they seized two guns from the Prospect Street home of a man who was involved in a standoff that lasted several hours Wednesday morning. Lisa Backus

Police: CT man doused wife in gas, wanted to blow up his trailer

Eugene Boudreau poured gasoline on his wife and "planned to blow his trailer up" during domestic incident on Washington Street in Middletown, warrant shows. Lisa Backus