Supreme Court of Connecticut

State v. Dawson

August 13, 2021340 Conn. 136

Summary

The court held that the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant constructively possessed a firearm found in a public courtyard. Neither the gun's proximity and apparent recent placement nor partial touch-DNA evidence reasonably established that the defendant knew of the gun and intentionally exercised dominion or control over it. The court therefore ordered acquittal on the firearm-possession charge while leaving the trespass conviction undisturbed.