Torrington, Conn. – A Litchfield County attorney who had been serving a suspended seven‑year sentence for the 2021 fatal shooting of Matthew Bromley was released from custody on Thursday after an appellate court overturned his manslaughter conviction.
Robert Fischer Jr. was granted a $50,000 bond with the condition that he not possess any firearm or ammunition while the appellate process continues. Fischer had spent roughly 14 months behind bars before the decision.
Reason for the reversal
The appellate panel ruled that the trial judge failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest during Fischer’s 2025 trial, a procedural error that warranted vacating the conviction. The court emphasized that the reversal was not a judgment on Fischer’s guilt or innocence, but rather a correction of the trial record.
Next steps in the case
State’s Attorney’s Office in Litchfield County issued a statement indicating that prosecutors are prepared to retry the case. The statement noted that the decision of the appellate court is under review by the Division of Criminal Justice’s Appellate Bureau, which will determine whether to seek review from the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Fischer’s appellate attorney, Jon Schoenhorn, said the case could revert to its pre‑trial status if no further appellate action is taken, effectively resetting the legal timeline.
Reactions from family and community
After his release, Fischer was greeted by family and friends inside the Torrington Superior Court building. He told reporters, “I’m going to be hanging out with my daughter, her dog and two cats… and anything else that has been gathered over the last year I don’t know about.” Fischer also reflected on his time in custody, saying, “Fortunately, I kept myself busy mentally, read a lot of books, played word games, and did the best I could to get along with everyone that was there.”
Background of the incident
Prosecutors allege that Fischer and Bromley got into a physical altercation outside Fischer’s law office. According to the prosecution, after Bromley walked toward his car, Fischer confronted him with a gun and fired, killing Bromley. Fischer maintains that Bromley followed him to the office, attacked him, and threatened his life, prompting Fischer to fire in self‑defense after a brief struggle.
The case has drawn attention in the Litchfield community, where concerns about public safety and the proper administration of justice remain high. Local officials have not commented further pending the outcome of the appellate review.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut (Hartford) — read the source article.
