Suspended sentences in beating of gay man
This seems a bit strange to me. Last year, two men were charged with beating a gay man in Shelton, Connecticut while at a neighborhood picnic. The two pleaded no contest to assault charges stemming from the attack. Both also received probation with special conditions, including diversity training and community service.
Now, that seems like a slap on the wrist to me, given that the victim of this attack suffered two concussions, a torn spleen, a damaged liver, three broken ribs, vision damage and memory loss.
(Milford-AP, Oct. 22, 2003 8:04 AM) Two men charged with beating a gay man at a neighborhood picnic in Shelton last year have accepted a plea deal that will mean no prison time.
42-year-old George Hamilton of Shelton and 25-year-old Bryan Wendland Stratford have been given suspended six-year prison terms.
The two pleaded no contest to assault charges stemming from the attack. Both also received probation with special conditions, including diversity training and community service.
Charges of first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias were dropped as part of the agreement.
The beating occurred during a Labor Day picnic at Hamilton's home.
According to a lawsuit filed by the victim, Hamilton called the man a "faggot" and demanded he leave the picnic.
According to the victim, Hamilton then began kicking and punching him, then Wendland joined the attack.
The victim suffered two concussions, a torn spleen, a damaged liver, three broken ribs, vision damage and memory loss.
This was from the story that was reported last year after the incident happened:
In a bizarre turn, police on Friday arrested the homeowner who hosted a Labor Day picnic where a 42-year-old gay man was beaten in a vicious bias attack.
George Hamilton, 42, of Long Hill Avenue, turned himself in to police after learning there was a warrant for his arrest.
He is charged with first-degree assault and first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias. Hamilton posted $150,000 bond and is scheduled to answer the charges Sept. 30 in Derby Superior Court.
Also arrested on the same charges in the attack is Bryan Wendland, 25, who lives at a girlfriend's home on Light Street in Stratford.
Wendland was held in lieu of $175,000 bail. His bond was higher because he is a flight risk, said Detective Sgt. Michael Madden. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Derby Superior Court.
"Mr. Hamilton knew the victim was openly gay and after a long day at the party, he made sexually oriented comments as he assaulted him," Madden said, adding that Wendland joined the attack.
The victim said three men beat him.
More arrests are pending, Madden said, possibly including people who attended the party and later made false statements.
There were plenty of apparently inaccurate comments, including those made by Hamilton to reporters, Madden said. It had originally been reported that the attack occurred on the victim's way home after the party.
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti described the incident as "unacceptable. I hope that there is justice at the end of the day."
Hamilton, who did not identify himself to reporters interviewing him a day after the 12:30 a.m. attack, said nobody at his party could have been involved in the attack.
He said he was distraught over the incident, and said his pig roast parties are always peaceful.
The victim, who police did not identify, was treated overnight at Yale-New Haven Hospital for wounds from punches and kicks to his face and ribs.
Bias attacks carry potentially more severe penalties than other types of assault.
Madden said Detective Ben Trabka and Officer Michael Fusco deserve credit for cracking the case.
"The level of cooperation by some of the persons interviewed has not been good," Madden said.
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