State prosecutors used Kevin Blacker’s own words against him during his vandalism trial on Thursday, playing audio clips of his confessions for six jurors in New London Superior Court.

Blacker, a landscaper from Noank, is charged with second-degree criminal mischief for painting a series of state-owned directional signs leading to State Pier in New London pink in 2020, part of his ongoing protest over the Connecticut Port Authority’s handling of the redevelopment of the pier.

“I expect to be arrested for painting your signs pink, as I should be,” Blacker can be heard saying at an Aug. 20, 2020, Connecticut Port Authority meeting.

The apparent confession was one of two audio clips Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Aksterowicz played for the jury on Thursday on the first day of the trial. Blacker, according to evidence presented in court, also admitted to painting the signs in his online comments, emails and in a statement to police.

In a recorded interview with state police detective Justin Clachrie, Blacker said, “I did it because I know it would get the press coverage ... keep the fight from fading out.”

“(The Connecticut Port Authority) have broken the law many times and nothing’s happened,” Blacker can be heard saying in the audio recording played in court. “I want to make a very clear example that when other people break the law they are held responsible. I did it knowing that I would get arrested.”

Clachrie and former major crime detective Sebastian Wordell were two of three witnesses called to the stand before the state rested its case against Blacker.

Blacker, who represents himself, called no witnesses and was barred by the judge, at the state’s request, from “introducing any and all evidence that is considered to be not relevant, cause confusion of the issues, or mislead the jury....”

Aksterowicz, in her motion to preclude evidence, said the state had been made aware that Blacker intended to mention political investigations involving state officials or make “general political statements.”

Blacker did question Clachrie about where he got the original estimate for replacement of the damaged signs. The original estimate of more than $1,600 led to a felony charge against Blacker that was later dropped in favor of the misdemeanor charge he now faces.

Clachrie, a member of the Eastern District Major Crime Unit, had been assigned to Blacker’s case following a complaint to police made by Connecticut Port Authority Board Chairman David Kooris, Clachrie testified on Thursday.

Blacker, prior to trial, had made a claim of “vindictive prosecution,” claiming he was targeted because of his activism and complaints against the port authority. Aksterowicz has said that Clachrie was assigned to the case because he previously investigated what she described as a “vaguely threatening” email Blacker had sent to Gov. Ned Lamont. Blacker was never charged with any crime in that investigation.

The final estimate for the replacement of the signs was $586. Blacker said he initially mailed a check to the state Department of Transportation but it was returned because the cost estimate had changed. Blacker has always maintained he intended to reimburse the state for the cost to replace the signs.

Jean Miller, a fiscal manager for the DOT who testified on Thursday, was asked by Blacker if the DOT had received a check for the $586. Miller said it had not been received as of Thursday morning.

“Have you received tomorrow’s mail?” Blacker asked.

“No,” Miller replied.

Closing arguments are expected on Friday.

g.smith@theday.com