Trooper Accused of Theft Declines 2nd Plea Bargain

A Connecticut state trooper accused of stealing from a dying motorist has rejected a second plea deal and opted to face trial.

The Connecticut Post reports (http://bit.ly/1hUH0cT) Aaron "AJ" Huntsman, 43, would have served a year in prison under the deal with prosecutors.

Huntsman, a 19-year veteran of the state police, is charged with larceny, interfering with police and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors said he was caught on video from his cruiser's dashboard camera stealing a gold chain and $3,700 from 49-year-old John Scalesse as the motorcyclist lay dying on Sept. 22, 2012.

Scalesse died after his motorcycle crashed on the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield.

On Monday, Judge Robert Devlin ordered the case to be prepared for a trial, which is to be scheduled in the next 10 days.