Office of the Attorney General: Sentencing on Homicide in Laconia, New Hampshire

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

November 12, 2008

CONTACTS: Lauren J. Noether
New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office (603) 271-3641


New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Frederick H. Booth, and Laconia Police Chief Michael Moyer, announce that Daryll Bifano (age 37) was sentenced today for one count of Second Degree Murder. The charge stemmed from the beating death of Stephen Grodske (age 60), formerly of North Branford, CT, at his residence of 59 Weirs Blvd., Unit #2 in Laconia, NH on the evening of January 6, 2008 under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.

After an investigation by the Laconia Police Department and the Major Crime Unit of New Hampshire State Police, it was determined that Bifano beat the victim about the head and torso striking him repeatedly. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Andrew concluded that the cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries to the head and body, and that the manner of death was homicide. Dr. Andrew determined that the victim suffered a minimum of twelve separate blows.

Bifano entered a negotiated plea of guilty before Judge Lawrence Smukler of the Belknap Superior Court on October 17, 2008. At today’s sentencing, after hearing from the State, the defense and family members of the victim, the court ordered the defendant to serve 27 years to life at the New Hampshire State Prison. He was also ordered to reimburse the family for funeral and cremation expenses and the Victim’s Compensation Fund.