By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor
HARTFORD >> The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of missing Waterbury man William “Billy” Smolinski Jr.’s family members, who hope to overturn a civil ruling that ordered them to pay a $52,666 judgment to Smolinski’s former girlfriend.
In March, the state Appellate Court upheld the ruling of Superior Court Judge Thomas Corradino, who awarded the amount to Madeleine Gleason of Woodbridge, for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation and punitive damages.
Gleason, who dated Smolinski until they broke up just prior to his 2004 disappearance, sued his mother, Janice Smolinski of Cheshire, and his sister, Paula Bell, in 2006, claiming they harassed, defamed and falsely accused her of involvement in his disappearance.

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By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor 

CHESHIRE >> The white shell of an old nursing home, the former Greenery Extended Care Center, has stood empty and crumbling for years behind gates with barbed wire and “No Trespassing” signs to keep people out.
But clearly people aren’t staying out. During a recent visit, the old nursing home building was accessible through an unlocked door and low, unblocked windows. The interior was filled with broken glass and graffiti. People have written their initials and messages like “Craze” and “Turn Around.”
The dilapidated property at 50 Hazel Drive is just one of the long-vacant properties in town that have become an eyesore. Many haven’t been properly secured from entry.

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Check out the full slideshow here. 

(Peter Casolino — Register file photo) Jan and Bill Smolinski of Cheshire, are still looking for answers in the disappearance of their son, Billy, who has been missing since 2004.

By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor

HARTFORD >> The state Appellate Court has upheld a judge’s ruling that two family members of missing Waterbury man William “Billy” Smolinski Jr. should have to pay a $52,666 judgment to Smolinski’s former girlfriend.
Madeleine Gleason of Woodbridge, who dated Smolinski until they broke up just prior to his 2004 disappearance, sued his mother, Janice Smolinski of Cheshire, and his sister, Paula Bell, in 2006, claiming they harassed, defamed and falsely accused her of involvement in his disappearance.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Corradino in 2012 awarded $52,666 to Gleason, for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation and punitive damages.
This Appellate Court decision upholds Corradino’s award.

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By Andy Thibault
Contributing Editor
and Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor
SHELTON — On a summer evening about eight years ago, cardiac nurse Jean Petrucelli — still dressed in scrubs after work — relaxed as she grilled dinner off her back deck overlooking the woods.
The woods are a refuge for Petrucelli, a place where she gains peace just breathing air and listening to the singing birds. Occasionally the sounds of all-terrain vehicles wreck the calm throughout the natural setting of about 150 relatively unspoiled acres off Wigwam Drive.
A bizarre sight jarred her.

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By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
Investigations Editor
A man who gave police information that led to a massive, unsuccessful search for the body of missing man William “Billy” Smolinski Jr. in Seymour has fled from a halfway house where he was serving the remainder of his sentence, an official said Friday.
Department of Correction spokesman Andrius Banevicius said Chad Hanson, 32, escaped from a community release program Dec. 19.

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