Man Convicted of Murder, Kidnapping, Assault in Attack on Family

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ A Meriden man has been convicted of murder, kidnapping and assault charges in a 2006 stabbing attack on his girlfriend's family that left her stepfather dead and her mother and brother wounded.

A New Haven Superior Court jury convicted 22-year-old Joe Baltas on Monday. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 9 and faces up to life in prison.

The attack on Oct. 25, 2006, killed Michael Laverty and wounded his wife, Linda, and their son, Chris Laverty.

Chris Laverty told police that Baltas was the attacker and that Baltas forced Laverty's sister to leave the family's apartment after the attack. Laverty's sister also was treated for minor wounds.

Baltas had denied that he was the attacker.
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     Information from: New Haven Register, http://www.nhregister.com