Norwich man rejects 37-year plea deal for murder

A 24-year-old man from Norwich, Atlantikh Balidemaj, has turned down a plea deal that would have sentenced him to 37 years in prison for the killing of 30-year-old Jashira Pagan. The decision brings his case closer to a trial. Balidemaj made this choice during a court appearance on Wednesday. If he had accepted the plea deal, he would have pleaded guilty to murder. Instead, he will now face a jury trial, where he could potentially receive a longer sentence. In Connecticut, a murder conviction can lead to 25 to 60 years in prison. Balidemaj is currently out on bail after posting a $5 million bond last October. He is facing charges of murder, illegal gun possession, and firing a gun illegally in connection to Pagan's death on November 5, 2022. The shooting took place outside her mother’s home in Norwich. Pagan was found with severe injuries to her face and died two days later after being on life support. Pagan’s mother testified that she heard a disturbance coming from her daughter's room and confronted Balidemaj. She described how her daughter had followed him outside to retrieve a dog. After the shooting, Balidemaj reportedly fled the scene and was later found by police about a mile away. Balidemaj maintains his innocence. He acknowledged spending the night with Pagan but claims she told him her boyfriend was at the door when they were together. Investigators have not found the gun used in the shooting, but Balidemaj's clothes tested positive for gunshot residue. His lawyer suggests that this residue may have come from a nail gun used the day before the incident. The state has withdrawn the plea offer following Balidemaj's rejection, and the case will now be scheduled for jury selection at an unknown date. Both attorneys in the case have declined to comment further at this time.