Prosecutor: Man charged in restaurant assault violated conditions of release

STAMFORD — One of three men charged in a midday assault at a Stamford restaurant was re-arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly violated the terms of his release.

Parish Rowell, 23, of Stamford, was arrested Wednesday on a new charge of violating the conditions of his release.

Rowell was arrested in July on charges of second-degree assault, criminal attempt at first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit firstdegree assault for an alleged May 30 attack at a restaurant on Towne Street.

The 23-year-old posted a $250,000 bond after his arraignment in July, and was released under the conditions that he comply with GPS monitoring and maintain house arrest.

Under the conditions of his release, Rowell was only allowed to leave his home for medical appointments, religious services and meetings with his lawyer.

But Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Cummings said on Thursday that Rowell made an “unauthorized stop” earlier this month.

When asked by his probation officer, Rowell said he had stopped at a CVS, according to Cummings.

“When probation pointed out that he’s not allowed to do that, his response was ‘Yeah, and…” and hung up,” Cummings said.

Rowell then later said he was only walking home, Cummings said.

Attorney Howard Ehring, who represents Rowell, said his client told him on Thursday that he was, in fact, meeting with his sponsor at DOMUS, a Stamford-based reentry program that tries to connect people returning to the community from prison with jobs.

The sponsor whom Rowell was allegedly meeting was present at court and was said to have corroborated his story, Ehring said.

Ehring asked Judge John Blawie to take this into consideration when setting the bond on his client. He asked that bond be reduced to a promise to appear or be set at $5,000.

Cummings, on the other hand, asked that Blawie keep the bond as set at $75,000

Rowell, who was on probation at the time of his arrest in July, has a history of harboring a “very contentious attitude” toward the state and the restrictions imposed by probation, Cummings said.

Cummings also said that Rowell was on probation for assaulting public safety officers and possessing a firearm when he was arrested for a “vicious” three-on-one assault that police believe may have involved a pistol whipping.

“Mr. Rowell has a history of violence and noncompliance with court orders that makes the bond as currently set suitable,” Cummings said.

Ultimately, Blawie set the bond at $50,000 bond. If posted, Blawie said there will be a “zero tolerance” policy toward any further infraction.

Rowell will also be placed under intensive probation supervision and GPS monitoring should he post bond.

He is next scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.