A New Fairfield man convicted last year in the stabbing death of a Newtown man is appealing his guilty verdict. Patrick Griffin filed a direct appeal with the state Appellate Court, challenging his conviction on two counts of first-degree manslaughter related to the 2022 incident. The case unfolded after police responded to Griffin’s residence and found James Edward Knapp Jr. with a fatal wound. Griffin claimed self-defense, but he was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Griffin’s appeal questions the sufficiency of evidence and trial court rulings.