Community Corner

Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Horse Seeking Accelerated Rehab: Lawyer

Marian Wegiel, who was arrested in October on animal cruelty charges, is scheduled to appear May 5 in state Superior Court in Derby.

The lawyer for a 63-year-old Shelton man arrested for sexually assaulting a neighbor's horse says his client has undergone a psychiatric evaluation and has been found to be of sound mind.

That finding likely will be presented on behalf of the accused, , when he appears May 5 in state Superior Court in Derby, according to Ralph Crozier, Wegiel's lawyer.

Crozier told Patch that Wegiel is seeking to apply for accelerated rehabilitation, a court-granted process that would keep his client out of jail with a cleared record.

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“He [Wegiel] is an individual that deserves this,” Crozier said. “He has no past criminal record and won’t violate the law again."

The psychiatric evaluation is the latest development in a closely followed case that's gained widespread attention, including from animal rights groups.

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On Oct. 18, Shelton police said, the department received a call from a Partridge Lane residence that a man “appeared to be touching their horse in a sexual manner and the horse appeared to be in pain.”

When officers arrived on scene, Wegiel, of 11 Partridge Lane, was in Joan Flannery's corral. He claimed he was merely trying to comfort the horses that were scared by a loud noise, and “may have inadvertently put his fingers inside one of the horses,” according to Lt. Robert Kozlowsky.

Wegiel was charged with cruelty to animals, fourth-degree sexual assault, third-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree breach of peace.

Flannery — owner of the female horse allegedly assaulted, named 'Indiana' — told Patch that her family has installed cameras in its barn, but remain unnerved because Wegiel lives nearby. She also said her family has experienced anguish and fear because the case remains active.

"I thought it [the case] would be done the last time I was there [in court]," Flannery said.

That was on March 11, when Flannery addressed Judge Burton Kaplan.

“I told the judge quite clearly: ‘I want him in jail,’ ” Flannery recalled.

Shelton Police Chief Joel Hurliman said that although animal abuse crimes have been reported in the past, the Wegiel-Flannery case stands out.

“This is the first case in Shelton that I can recall that involved a sexual abuse nature," Hurliman said.

Crozier says his client is optimistic.

"He [Wegiel] is upset that anyone was caused anguish and feels sorry he was in that place at that time," Crozier said.

What are your thoughts on the Wegiel case? 


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