(New Haven, CT) – New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. today announced that a jury in New Haven Superior Court on April 25, 2025 found Christopher Dingwell, Sr., age 55, of Meriden, guilty of Strangulation in the Second Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-64bb, Assault in the Third Degree, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-61 and Carrying a Firearm while Intoxicated, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-206d.
Evidence presented at trial showed that the defendant on February 20, 2023 in Meriden dragged a woman by her hair and restricted her breathing by compressing her airway with his forearm and thumb, causing her to lose consciousness. Meriden police officers responding to the incident found the defendant in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun and seized it from him before taking him into custody. The defendant, who had a valid State of Connecticut Pistol Permit at the time of the incident, was observed to be intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
The case was investigated by the Meriden Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney David Nielsen and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney David J. Strollo, with the assistance of Investigator Kerry Dalling and Paralegal Yaskara Simlick.
The Honorable Ann F. Lawlor presided over the trial and will sentence the defendant on July 11, 2025 in Superior Court in New Haven.