Prosecutors Rest Case in Manslaughter Trial of Cooper Ouellette for Death of Sophie Ringquist

Cooper Ouellette Trial Recap: Prosecutors Rest as Defense Challenges Life360 Evidence

“No, he was not — it was just an inaccurate location that was determined by the Life360 application,” Jeff Martin told the court. Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday in the manslaughter trial of Cooper Ouellette, the Harwinton man accused of running over and killing 17-year-old Sophie Ringquist of Burlington, ctinsider.com reported.

The case now turns on whether the jury believes an app. Ouellette is charged with manslaughter and delivery of alcohol to a minor in the May 20, 2023 death of Ringquist, his on-again-off-again girlfriend. Prosecutors say the two went to an underage drinking party in Terryville that night, and the digital trail from their iPhones has become the spine of the state’s case. With the prosecution finished, the defense spent Wednesday trying to cut that spine.

According to the arrest warrant, Ringquist was taking a selfie video when the door of Ouellette’s truck opened and he “suddenly stomped on the gas pedal,” throwing the teen to the ground. Police said Ouellette then dragged Ringquist back into the vehicle and drove her home. Photographs of his Chevrolet Silverado 2500 were submitted into evidence by state prosecutors, and on earlier trial days a medical examiner and a Connecticut State Police detective testified for the state.

LIVE: CT v. Cooper Ouellette – Day 5 | The Deadly Ride Home

Life360 under cross-examination

After the prosecution rested, Ouellette’s lawyers called a digital forensics expert to undercut data drawn from the Life360 app on both Ouellette’s and Ringquist’s iPhones. Martin, a Digital Forensic Examiner for Evidence Solutions, Inc., testified via Zoom from Michigan. Defense attorney Martin Minnella walked him through a personal example: Life360 had once reported Martin’s son was 50 to 100 meters out on Lake Superior.

“Was he out on the water?” Minnella asked. “No, he was not — it was just an inaccurate location that was determined by the Life360 application,” Martin said. The defense hopes that testimony plants doubt about every location ping the state has shown the jury. Mark Sanders of the New England State Police Information Network also took the stand Wednesday and faced cross-examination from defense attorney Jonathan Raad over the reports generated for the case, stamfordadvocate.com reported.

Cooper Ouellette Trial Day 5 | State Rests, Life360 Evidence Challenged

Why Ouellette was never tested for intoxication

The defense also called Ryan Slaiby, the Connecticut State Police detective who led the investigation. Minnella pressed Slaiby on the opening hours, when state police met Ringquist’s family at Bristol Hospital. “We found out of suspicious circumstances that involved a motor vehicle,” Slaiby said. Minnella then directed questions at why Ouellette had not been tested for intoxication. “It was my belief that too much time had passed and that there was the unknown factor if there had been any consumption of beverages or alcoholic beverages,” Slaiby said.

The exchange between Minnella and the prosecution grew contentious at times. “Can he answer the question?” Minnella said at one point. “He’s trying,” a prosecutor said, standing and turning to the defense attorney. Chris Pelosi shut it down fast: “We’re not going to have any bantering between the two attorneys at this point. We’re gonna ask a question, the witness will answer the question.”

Prosecutors Rest Case in Manslaughter Trial of Cooper Ouellette for Death of Sophie Ringquist — Photo: stamfordadvocate.com

Where the trial stands now

Court adjourned early Wednesday, around 3:30 p.m., after a discussion between the judge and both sides. The trial is being heard at New Britain Superior Court, where Senior Assistant State’s Attorney David Clifton has presented video evidence and New Britain State’s Attorney Christian Watson has watched video animations played for the jury. The defense is now presenting its evidence, and the judge told the court he believes the proceedings remain on schedule.

“I believe we are still on schedule,” Pelosi said.