Murder suspect's mother calls son an "idiot"

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Hartford man was arrested Monday for the murder of an East Hartford store clerk.

Around 11 p.m. Saturday, police were called to the Circle H Food Mart, located at 1084 Burnside Ave., for suspicious activity.

Upon arrival, officers found store employee, 47-year-old Luthfur Tarafdar, of Manchester, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Tarafdar was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said after discovering physical evidence left at the scene, they obtained several search and seizure warrants. It was then determined that 25-year-old Kezlyn Mendez, of 26 Sterling Rd., Hartford, was the perpetrator.

Mendez's mother, Leatha McFarland, says that Tarafdar was her friend.

"It just hurt, that man had a wonderful family, they are wonderful people. The wife, the sister, they work in there and they are all sweet to us in there," she said. "If you couldn't afford a loaf of bread they would give it to you. If you were a dollar short they would be like, 'just take it.' They are good people."

"So what happened to your son," asked News 8's Bob Wilson. "He was recently out of jail?"

"Yeah, he was recently out of jail," McFarland replied.

Records show Mendez has a long criminal history dating back three years for everything from assault to threatening.

His mother says he was violent.

"So he has assault, robbery, what did he rob," asked Wilson.

"Some stores," she said.

"At gun point," Wilson asked.

"So he has done this kind of thing before," questioned Wilson.

"Yes, and I'm his mother and I'm not scared to say it," she said.

"Somebody needs to apologize to that family, they did nothing wrong and my son is an idiot," McFarland continued. "I am very angry with him and when they sentence [him] he better not ask me for any money for commissary. He ain't getting it."

Police say the video surveillance shows a man going inside the store and shooting the clerk. There was no warning, he did not ask for money for, but instead shot the clerk and then robbed the store.

Mendez was charged with murder, felony murder, first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm, and criminal possession of a firearm.

Family and friends of Tarafdar say prison is too good for Mendez.

"I want to punish this guy," said Golm Tarafdar, victim's brother, "and I want to thank the police department, they did a very good job. And we appreciate what they are doing."

"Eye for an eye, that is what I figure," saud Helen Duperry, victim's friend. "Death penalty, but Connecticut doesn't have it anymore."