Milford ax murderer loses temper during sentencing for ex-girlfriend’s brutal killing

The man who previously admitted to killing the mother of his young son with an ax—while the toddler and his teenage brother were home—was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday during an emotional and at times, tense, hearing at Milford Superior Court.

Ewen Dewitt, 45, kept his gaze down, never looking over as Julie Minogue’s loved ones tearfully and angrily addressed the court. Several family members came from out of state for the sentencing, including Julie Minogue’s parents, sister and her two oldest sons.

It followed a plea deal Dewitt took in March, pleading guilty to murder and risk of injury to a child in exchange for 40 years to serve.

On Thursday morning, State’s Attorney Margaret Kelley teared up as she spoke about the brutality of the crime—images that she said haunt her as she knows they do the family.

“I've often thought of the victim’s last minutes—the young, vibrant mother of three boys who was working to provide for her family and protect them,” Kelley stated, her voice breaking at times. “This defendant struck her with an ax more than 13 times. There is no sentence whatsoever that can bring justice at all to the Minogue family.”

Julie Minogue’s sister told the court 40 years in prison didn’t seem fair when family members were handed a life sentence when Dewitt stormed his ex-girlfriend’s Milford condo on Dec. 6, 2022.

“What makes this even worse is that two of my nephews were home at the time of the murder. I can't even imagine what they saw and what they heard and the future impacts, the trauma, they're going to experience the rest of their lives,” cried Allison Barotti-Corcoran.

Julie Minogue’s then-17-year-old son heard his mother’s screams and ran down to find Dewitt standing over her lifeless body with blood everywhere, according to Dewitt’s arrest warrant. The former couple’s 3-year-old son was on the couch nearby.

“He was in shock after. He couldn't even reply to the police officers responding. He’s five now, and he’s sweet, and he's joyful, and he's so beautiful. But he continues to tell us about the bad man that hurt mommy,” Barotti-Corcoran told the judge as she sobbed.

Julie Minogue’s mom also read a statement in court, noting why she hasn’t been present for previous hearings.

“This is the first time I’ve been in this court following the death of my daughter because I couldn't bear to see the man—who’s not a man—who murdered my child,” Sandra Toepper explained as emotions filled her voice. “He denied me and my family the right to see my daughter, even before her funeral because he mutilated her.” Julie Minogue’s oldest son spoke directly to Dewitt with his statement, calling him a coward, a monster and trash.

“You didn't just kill our mom. You exposed what kind of pathetic, hollow excuse of a human being you are—a failure of a man, a failure of a mother, a failure of a son, a failure of a brother and most of all, a failure at life,” Nicholas Minogue said.

“Julie's three sons will celebrate every holiday, every birthday, every significant milestone in their lives without their mother,” added Julie Minogue’s father, Gerald Minogue, who’s been at every hearing since his daughter’s death. “In my mind, the defendant is receiving a very favorable sentence, but I do acknowledge that he will be incarcerated, and society will be protected from his evil for decades.”

Dewitt’s public defender, Claud Chong, attributed Dewitt’s actions to a combination of PTSD from serving in Afghanistan and abusing drugs and alcohol, which ultimately caused him to lose control in a fit of rage and anger.

“By pleading guilty, he's accepted responsibility for his actions and accepting his sentence,” Chong told the court.

Dewitt had several family members in attendance, but no one addressed the court. He briefly did, apologizing.

“I want to say I'm sorry. I just snapped,” Dewitt said as he continued to look down. “I have no one to blame but myself.”

Dewitt was subdued for most of the 50-minute hearing. His only reaction came shortly after when Kelley disputed that Dewitt acted impulsively. She described the crime as “cold” and “calculated.”

That’s when Dewitt abruptly jumped up and began shouting profanities at Kelley. Marshals had to restrain him before the hearing continued.

Before Judge Kevin Russo handed down the agreed-upon sentence, he told Julie Minogue’s family that it probably should be longer. Dewitt had been on track to go to trial after rejecting a deal for 45 years in prison. Russo made the current, slightly lower offer to get a deal done and prevent a very public and graphic trial, during which Julie Minogue’s now 19-year-old son would have had to testify.

“I agree with you. The level of gratuitous violence is like a horror movie, but do you want to watch that movie again? On a big screen? And have all those indignities visited upon you again?” Russo asked.

Russo then addressed Dewitt and said sentencing a person always comes with some measure of hesitation for a judge, but not this time. “The only conclusion I can arrive at is evil visited Julie Minogue, and her family on Dec. 6, 2022,” Russo said.

Julie Minogue had a protective order and a civil restraining order against Dewitt at the time of her death. In the days before, she’d also reported Dewitt to police after he allegedly sent her 200 text messages, including threats. Police said the officer who handled her complaint didn't follow through with additional information needed to get an arrest warrant for Dewitt.

Gerald Minogue filed a lawsuit against the city and police department for negligence, claiming his daughter’s death could have been prevented.

The murder sparked widespread outrage and led to new state legislation aimed at helping protect domestic violence victims by increasing the use of GPS monitoring to track the movements of offenders.