According to a statement released by the Vermont STate Police, yesterday, at approximately 9:35 pm, the Vermont State Police received a call regarding a death of an inmate at the Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield, VT. A detective from the Vermont State Police Criminal Division in D Troop responded to the correctional facility to investigate. The inmate, identified as Sylvester Labartino age 71 of Hubbardton, VT, was awaiting trial for the murders of Christopher and Shane Plummer on February 12, 2014, in the town of Hubbardton. Labartino had been incarcerated since his arrest.
Upon initial investigation, detectives learned that Labartino had recently been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, and had a history of other debilitating medical disorders. Labartino's condition had been worsening and was admitted to the infirmary at SSCF on August 20, 2014.
The Windsor County State's Attorney was notified, along with the area medical examiner. Per protocol, the decedent was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy.
At this time, the death appears to be due to natural causes, and there are no signs of foul play; however the case is on-going pending additional investigation and the results of the autopsy.
Homicide Investigation
On Wednesday, February 12, 2014 the Vermont State Police received a 911 call at approximately 1:37PM regarding a shooting incident at 578 VT Route 30 in Hubbardton, Vermont. Troopers from the Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks, along with emergency medical personnel, responded immediately and located two male subjects deceased outside the residence.
The investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation led police to believe that the sole resident at 578 VT Route 30, identified as Sylvester Labartino, was involved in the incident. As a result officers were notified to be on the lookout for Labartino's vehicle, a white Ford Bronco; which was not at the residence. At approximately 2:22PM, that same day, the vehicle was observed by officers traveling north on VT Route 30 in the town of Castleton. Officers stopped this vehicle and identified the operator as Sylvester Labartino. Labartino was ultimately arrested and arraigned for the shooting deaths of Shane, age 57, and Christopher Plummer, age 26, both of West Haven VT. Shane and Christopher were father and son.
Source: Springfield, VT - Vermont State Police 8.28.2014