NEW LONDON – A 39-year-old Colchester man accused of stabbing a local mail carrier and Norwich artist to death in 2018 rejected a plea deal on Thursday that would have sent him to prison for up to 18 years, though it’s still unclear when the case will go to trial.
Under the proffer, Elmar Baker would have pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of 42-year-old Montville resident Jo-Jo Kolodnicki in exchange for an 18-year sentence with the right for his lawyer to argue the term down to 15.
Inside New London Superior Court, Judge Hillary Strackbein carefully laid out the possible consequences of Baker rejecting the state’s “last, best offer,” noting he faces up to 60 years in prison if found guilty of murder at trial, or a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted of manslaughter.