Attorneys/Judges
| Defense(s): | Ralph Crozier |
Horse sexually assaulted
Shelton, CT (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010
County: Fairfield
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Marian Wegiel
Upcoming Court Dates:
» Tuesday, Dec 7, 2010
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A man was arrested last night for reportedly touching a "horse in a sexual manner and the horse appeared to be in pain," according to a police statement.
Shelton police in Connecticut turned up at the scene and arrested 63-year-old Marian Wegiel, msnbc.com reports.
Mr Wegiel told officers "a loud noise frightened the horses and he was merely comforting them".
He also stated he may have inadvertently put his fingers inside one of the horses, the website reported.
Police told msnbc.com that three horses were in the corral at the time of the alleged abuse, but it appeared only one female horse was touched.
Mr Wegiel faces charges, including animal cruelty, sexual assault, criminal trespassing and breach of peace.
He posted a $US500 bond and was due back in court on November 1.
Case UpdatesDressed in a suit and tie, a man who is accused of sexually assaulting his neighbor's horse in Shelton appeared before a Superior Court judge for the first time Monday.
Marian Wegiel, 63, of 11 Partridge Lane, Shelton, was arraigned before Judge Burton Kaplan in Superior Court in Derby. At the brief arraignment, Wegiel entered a "not guilty" plea, and the judge ordered him to stay off of his neighbor's property.
Wegiel's attorney, Ralph Crozier, asked for a Polish translator to be present at Wegiel's next court date, which was scheduled for Dec. 7.
Outside the courthouse, Wegiel declined to comment on the case.
Crozier, however, spoke at length on his client's behalf.
"Luckily enough in this country, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty," said Crozier.
Crozier has a farm and has worked to rescue horses himself.
"I have known the Wegiel family for an extended period of time," Crozier said. "He is a decent human being, churchgoing all his life, and he has never been arrested (before) for a crime in his lifetime."
According to Crozier, Wegiel helps collect money each week at church.
Crozier said he believes there was a communication problem when Wegiel told police what happened, as Wegiel's native language is Polish. Crozier said he has even had some obstacles communicating with Wegiel for that reason.
"I think there is a communication gap here in what was said to the police," Crozier said. "Ultimately, time will bear out what the truth is. Justice will prevail."
When asked why Wegiel was on the property, Crozier said his client noticed the horses had become frightened by a loud noise, he walked over, and was patting one and trying to calm it down.
The allegations have been difficult on Wegiel and his family, according to Crozier.
"These are people that have hundreds of friends in the church system," Crozier said. "They are very God-fearing. It has been harmful to the children of the family, and the wife. They all feel tainted by the allegations. The allegation is one in our society that people despise. You can't get much worse than what people think is hurting an animal."
Wegiel is charged with cruelty to animals, fourth-degree sexual assault, third degree criminal trespass, and second-degree breach of peace for the Oct. 18 incident.
Police said they were dispatched to 8 Partridge Lane, the Flannery residence, on a report of an unknown male touching a horse in a sexual manner and the horse appearing to be in pain.
Police said a witness reported seeing a man putting his hand and arm inside the horse's vagina in a repetitive motion. When police arrived, they found Wegiel in the corral.
Alison Flannery said she witnessed the family's horse, "Indiana" being abused, and she said it wasn't momentary. She said from the time she witnessed it and called 911 to the time police arrived and the man stopped, almost 15 minutes had passed. The family has said they are fearful that other horses have been abused in the past too.
"I want people to know that animal abuse can happen anywhere to any animal, and since they have no voices to tell anyone, people need to be diligent and speak out for them," Flannery said, in a letter to the Register.
According to police, Wegiel told them he was comforting the horses after they had been scared by a loud noise. Wegiel allegedly stated he may have inadvertently put his fingers inside one of the horses. There were three horses in the corral, but only the one female horse appeared to have been touched, police said. | Source: nhregister.com - Nov 1, 2010
Update posted on Nov 1, 2010 - 2:41PM |
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