Hartford Man Sentenced to Life for 2011 Murder

United States Attorney John H. Durham and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane announced that KARL ROYE, also known as “Eagle,” 26, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to a life term of imprisonment for committing the murder of Anthony Parker of Hartford in April 2011.

This matter stems from a long-term investigation into narcotics trafficking and related violent activity by members and associates of the Westhell and Team Grease groups.

At approximately 10:47 a.m. on April 6, 2011, the Hartford Police Department received a report of shots fired in the vicinity of 15 Thomaston Street in the Blue Hills Section of Hartford.  Officers responding to the scene located Anthony Parker, also known as “Smooth,” 24, seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in the driveway of 15 Thomaston Street.  Parker was unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  Parker was transported by ambulance to Saint Francis Hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

According to testimony and evidence presented during a weeklong trial, ROYE and Jimel Frank, both armed with 9mm handguns, opened fire on Parker from opposite sides of the vehicle in which he was seated.  ROYE and Frank were members of the Wall Street group, which later became generally known as “Team Grease.” 

On August 4, 2016, a jury found ROYE guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering and one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering.

ROYE has been detained since his arrest on March 4, 2015.

Frank, also known as “30” and “Velly,” pleaded guilty on November 12, 2015, and awaits sentencing.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham and Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Reed Durham, who has been cross designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

The homicide of Anthony “Smooth” Parker was included in cold case playing cards sold to inmates in Connecticut’s state correctional facilities.  Each card in the deck features a photograph and brief details about a homicide or missing person case and lists telephone, mail and e-mail contacts that inmates can use to supply information.