United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

FORMER BRIDGEPORT RESIDENT CHARGED WITH 2008 DRUG-RELATED MURDER OF BRONX MAN

Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned an indictment charging LARRY CORBETT, also known as “China Man,” 37, of Harral Avenue, Bridgeport, with murder, kidnapping, drug and weapons violations related to the January 2008 death of George McPherson of the Bronx, New York.  The indictment was returned on January 21.

This matter stems from an investigation initially conducted by the Greenwich Police Department into the death of McPherson, whose body was found in Greenwich on January 14, 2008.

The indictment charges CORBETT with one count of kidnapping resulting in death, and two counts of causing the death of George McPherson through the use of a firearm.  Each of these charges carries a mandatory lifetime term of imprisonment or death, should the Government seek the death penalty in this matter.

The indictment also charges CORBETT with one count of interference with commerce through the use of violence, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.  Each of these charges carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Finally, the indictment charges CORBETT with one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics trafficking offense.  This charge carries a mandatory 10-year term of imprisonment to be imposed consecutively to any sentence imposed on the other counts of conviction.

CORBETT currently is in state custody on charges related to the murder that have been lodged in Connecticut Superior Court by the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk.  The matter has been referred to the United States Attorney for further prosecution.  Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Maureen Ornousky has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and will conduct the federal prosecution with Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall, who is Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

This matter is being investigated by the Greenwich Police Department with assistance provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov