The Connecticut banker accused of killing a hotel worker in Anguilla says the case has drained his life savings, and he’s living in fear, according to a new report.
Scott Hapgood, 44, of Darien — who is set to stand trial for manslaughter on the small Caribbean island — said his career has been damaged while legal bills stack up, according to an interview in Town and Country magazine.
“I try to not think about the fact that we have already decimated our life savings and our defense-related costs only seem to grow exponentially,” he said. “I try not to think about the fact that my career has been completely derailed.”
Hapgood was charged in April with the choking death of 27-year-old Kenny Mitchel, a maintenance worker at the five-star Malliouhana hotel.
Asked about his frustration with the Anguillian government after his arrest — including over demands that he attend a bail hearing on the island — he said he believes officials there have it out for him.
“I think they want me to violate my bail conditions, which would give them more leverage over me. I’m not going to do that,” the former UBS banker said.
In the months since his case made headlines, his family has been bombarded with threats, Hapgood told the magazine.
“I try to not think about the fact that we continue to receive threats and despite taking extra security measures, we simply do not feel completely safe at home. I try to not think about the fact that I am subject to a legal process that I do not trust,” he said. “I try to not think about the fact that my family’s last name will forever be associated with this terrifying event.”
Hapgood, who is now back in Anguilla for a court hearing, has claimed Mitchel showed up at his hotel room wielding a knife. He said the worker acted crazed and demanded money as his two daughters stood nearby.
A fight then broke out between the men that ended in Mitchel’s death on the floor of Hapgood’s hotel bathroom, according to past reports.
Hapgood has said he has no regrets about his actions.