Connecticut man convicted of killing wife in 'Fitbit murder' case

VERNON, Conn. (TCD) -- A jury convicted a man this week of fatally shooting his wife and staging the scene to make it appear as if she was killed by a stranger.

The State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland announced Richard Dabate was found guilty May 10 of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and making a false statement for the Dec. 23, 2015, death of his wife, Connie. The statement says Dabate shot his wife inside their home, but vital evidence in the case included Connie’s Fitbit fitness tracker, Dabate’s computer, their cellphones, and more.

According to NBC Connecticut, Dabate told authorities Connie was killed at 9:05 a.m. Her Fitbit and other data, however, reportedly showed she got home from the YMCA at 9:18 a.m. Her last movement was at 10:05 a.m. The Hartford Courant reports Dabate testified a man who wore camouflage and had a voice like Vin Diesel broke in and killed Connie.

Connie's death and the case surrounding it became known as the "Fitbit murder."

A spokesman for Connie’s family said after the verdict was read, "The trial was not about a Fitbit. The trial was about a cold-blooded, planned murder of Connie," according to WTIC-TV.

During the trial, Dabate testified and spoke about his affair with another woman, who was pregnant with his child. According to the Hartford Courant, Sarah Ganzer gave birth two months after Connie was killed. He reportedly said at the time of his affair he was "in love with two women and didn’t want to push either of them away."

Dabate would reportedly tell Connie he worked late and Ganzer that divorce papers were on the way, but he never filed them.

The state’s attorney says Dabate will be sentenced Sept. 16. His bond has increased to $5 million.

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