Police: Milford man charged in 2018 attack on Bridgeport councilwoman

Police said when Martinez was brought into the hospital in 2018, her eyes were swollen shut and she had numerous bruises. She suffered a seizure while undergoing an X-ray.

BRIDGEPORT — A Milford man, awaiting trial for allegedly nearly beating a Bridgeport councilwoman to death, was arrested Tuesday after police said they saw video of him working in a club run by the councilwoman.

Sherman Perry, 47, of Ellis Street, was charged with violating a protective order.

In Febr uar y 2018, Perr y, a former mentor for young men in Bridgeport, was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment in connection with the alleged assault on East Side Councilwoman Eneida Martinez.

Martinez was severely beaten in the f ace, head and shoulders and spent a week in Bridgeport Hospit al.

Perr y was later released after posting $ 250,000 bond but was ordered by a judge to stay 2 ,500 feet from Martinez at all times. He was also required to wear a GP S anklet to ensure he remained f ar from Martinez.

“You are to stay away from this person (Martinez) and have no contact whatsoever,” the judge told Perry.

The case has been delayed by the pandemic.

Police said on Sept. 27, detectives were reviewing video from the Keystone Club on Barnum Avenue in an investigation of a fatal shooting that occurred there when they said they spotted Perry working as a bouncer at the front door of the club. They said the video also showed Perry in the back of the club with Martinez.

Martinez is the manager of the former strip clubturned-social club, which has since closed. She was recently arrested and charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and 10 counts of illegally selling alcohol in connection with the operation of the club. Her next court date is Jan. 6.

During Perry’s arraignment Tuesday, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Dunn urged Superior Court Judge Kevin Doyle to set a high bond on Perry who stood and watched the proceeding from another courtroom on video because of pandemic precautions.

“The facts of this case are disturbing to the state,” Dunn said.

Perry closed his eyes as judicial marshals assembled behind him, preparing to take him into custody.

But the judge instead continued the case to Thursday as Perry’s lawyer, Frank Riccio II said he had talked to Martinez.

“She does not wish to have a protective order in any form,” Riccio told the judge.

Riccio later declined comment on the case.

Martinez did not return calls for comment.

According to Perry’s arrest warrant affidavit, Martinez’s daughter told police that despite the protective order, her mother allows Perry to be around her and to be with her at Keystone.

Police said when Martinez was brought into the hospital in 2018, her eyes were swollen shut and she had numerous bruises. She suffered a seizure while undergoing an X-ray.

Police said Martinez and Perry had been involved in a relationship but she had stopped taking his calls. They said that on the day of the incident, Perry had gone to Martinez’s home to confront her. The two began to argue, police said, and Perry, who is 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighs 280 pounds, then began punching Martinez.

Police said Perry kept punching Martinez until she fell onto the floor and then may have kicked her while she lay there.

Perry has a history of assaulting women, police said, and has been convicted of assault, manslaughter and drug sales.