MILFORD, CT — In a dramatic conclusion to one of Milford’s most harrowing criminal cases, Ewen Dewitt was sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison for the brutal 2022 Milford ax murder of his former girlfriend, Julie Minogue — a crime that horrified the community and prompted new domestic violence reforms in Connecticut. The sentencing, held at Milford Superior Court, ended in chaos when Dewitt launched into an expletive-laced outburst after being described by prosecutors as “cold” and “calculated.”
Dewitt, 45, accepted a plea deal in March to avoid trial, pleading guilty to murder and risk of injury to a child. The plea prevented Minogue’s 19-year-old son from having to testify about witnessing the attack, which occurred in the family’s condo on December 6, 2022. Dewitt struck Minogue more than 13 times with an ax while her two sons — then ages 3 and 17 — were home.
During Thursday’s emotional hearing, victim impact statements from family members painted a portrait of enduring trauma and loss. “This murder was horrific and absolutely disgusting,” said Allison Barotti-Corcoran, Minogue’s sister. Minogue’s eldest son, Nicholas, called Dewitt a “monster,” while her mother, Sandra Toepper, told Dewitt, “I hope he rots in hell.”
Dewitt maintained composure until State’s Attorney Margaret Kelley described the crime as premeditated. He stood abruptly, shouting profanities before being restrained by marshals. Judge Kevin Russo admonished Dewitt, who retorted sarcastically, “That’d be great.”
Russo said the plea deal — while not delivering a life sentence — spared the family additional trauma. “The level of gratuitous violence is like a horror movie,” he said.
Dewitt’s attorney, Claud Chong, cited military service in Afghanistan, PTSD, and substance abuse in his defense. Dewitt expressed remorse, saying, “I just snapped. I have no one to blame but myself.”
This case has since spurred changes in state policy, notably the expansion of GPS tracking in domestic violence cases. Minogue’s father has also filed a negligence lawsuit against the Milford Police Department for failing to act on her repeated harassment complaints.
