A 38-year-old Windsor man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend with whom he shared a child.
A jury found Kaman Morgan guilty of first-degree murder Friday morning after a five-day trial that began last week.
Family members of the victim, 37-year-old Brie Ann Biondolillo, spoke about their loss before Weld Judge Timothy Kerns delivered the sentence on Friday.
Nancy Appleton, Biondolillo’s mother, recalled the night she was awoken at 3:19 am by a knock at her door. Two police officers were at the door and asked Appleton to take a seat before asking if she had any daughters.
They told her Biondolillo died but said they weren’t sure how. Appleton immediately knew Morgan had killed her daughter, she recalled.
Appleton awakes at 3:19 every morning, she said, reliving the experience of learning her daughter had been killed.
Appleton’s testimony, like the testimony of others on Friday, focused on how Morgan deprived several people of Biondolillo’s presence as a daughter, a mother, a sister and a loved one.
Appleton held up a photo of Biondolillo’s son she had with Morgan. The child, who was only 3 months old when he was in the back seat as Morgan killed Biondolillo, has been adopted by new parents. In the photo, the child was holding hands with his new father.
The photo should have been with Biondolillo and Morgan, she said, but he deprived them of that chance. Instead, the child’s new parents will have one day to explain his biological father killed his mother, she continued.
Brooklyn Biondolillo, Brie’s daughter and eldest child, said hearing Morgan — who testified Wednesday that Brie Biondolillo was abusive and accused her of shaking the car seat as their child sat inside — speak ill of her mother and call the final shot he fired at her “ an accident” extended her suffering.
“Forgiving you has taught me how to heal,” Brooklyn said.
In addition to being sorry about losing her and her siblings’ mother, Brooklyn said she was sorry for Morgan’s mother and brother, who don’t deserve the burden of having a murderer for a family member. After shooting Brie, Morgan called his own mother, something Brooklyn won’t be able to do herself due to his actions.
Mike Biondolillo, Brie’s brother, also spoke of the loss faced by Brie’s children.
“That night you shot Brie, all you wanted was to be with your mom,” Mike said, referencing how Morgan, after murdering Brie, called his mother and later visited her before turning himself in.
Now, Brie’s children won’t ever be able to see their mother again, Mike said.
Even though he’s been faced with the incomprehensible loss of his lifelong best friend, Mike said he can forgive Morgan as a person, the “emotionally weak” man who once sat on the couch with Mike and Brie watching movies.
Weld Deputy District Attorney Kate Fitzgerald read a statement from the couple who adopted Biondolillo and Morgan’s child. They said they were grateful justice had been reached and that they wouldn’t have to worry about their safety. They said the child is doing well, describing him as “a very happy little man.”
Weld Assistant District Attorney Robb Miller asked Kerns to issue a life sentence.
The defense didn’t call any witnesses, though Morgan spoke once more before the court, again accusing Biondolillo of being abusive.
“I understand my actions have devastated a lot of people,” he said, before accusing others of being “in denial” about Biondolillo, who he said was “just as abusive as I was.”
Biondolillo stopped by Morgan’s Windsor home on Feb. 24, 2020, to pick up their son. Morgan shot Biondolillo five times through the windshield before going over to her door and shooting her a final time in the head.
He claimed his motive was self-defense for his son, who was in the back seat when Morgan fired into the car. While testing, however, Morgan admitted jealousy played a part in his actions. Biondolillo that day was getting the keys to her new apartment with a new boyfriend.
Kerns gave his condolences to Brie’s family and friends and praised the grace and capacity to forgive they showed throughout the trial.
“Domestic violence, power and control over someone, it’s over today,” Kerns said.
Kerns sentenced Morgan to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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