Simsbury Road Man Charged With Murder Receives Continuance

A pre-trial hearing for a Simsbury Road man charged with murder in the stabbing death of his former girlfriend was postponed Wednesday in Hartford Superior Court.

David Grant, 25, was scheduled to return to court Feb. 29. He has pleaded not guilty.

Judge Joan K. Alexander granted a continuance to allow Grant’s public defender, John L. Stawicki, additional time to receive and evaluate evidence.

Grant, who remains in jail on $2 million bail, faces 25 to 60 years in prison if convicted of murder. He appeared briefly before a full courtroom wearing an orange prison jumpsuit.

Several friends and family of the victim, Suzete Berrincha, were present for Grant’s third appearance in the third-floor courtroom. Members of Grant's family in attendance included his father, Rupert Grant, 54, who declined afterward to comment.

In a statement to , Grant allegedly admitted killing Berrincha Nov. 3 at her family’s home at 60 Westphal St. Berrincha, 22, was with a stainless steel folding knife, according to detectives.

Grant and Berrincha, both , were described as an on-and-off couple for about eight years. Police said Grant was apparently upset after a breakup in April.

Berrincha, a former captain of the Hall cheerleading squad, in 2010 with a B.A. degree in human development and family studies.