City man pleads not guilty in alleged assault

A city resident pleaded not guilty to assault this week in Superior Court in connection with a hammer attack in March.

John L. Downey, 49, of Guerdat Road, Torrington, was arrested March 31 and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree threatening and seconddegree breach of peace, according to court records.

He is also charged with two violations of probation in the case, according to court records. Downey pleaded guilty on Feb. 24 to charges of disorderly conduct and first-degree criminal trespassing.

According to an affidavit issued for the violation of probation charge, Downey was arrested after Torrington police were dispatched for a reported physical disturbance. Officers found the victim "covered in blood from what appeared to be lacerations from (their) scalp" with "hair (that) was matted thick with blood."

The victim told police that Downey had hit them in the back of the head repeatedly, and told them that "you're going to die, or something like that," with each blow.

Downey allegedly admitted to being responsible for the attack, Torrington police said at the time of his arrest. A hammer was found on scene with “evidence consistent with its apparent use in the attack,” police said.

Downey has since been charged with first-degree assault, according to state judicial records. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf Tuesday in Superior Court in Torrington and he did not admit the violations of probation.