FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Britain, CT) – Christian M. Watson, New Britain State’s Attorney, announced today that a Superior Court jury on September 20, 2023 found Michael Leveille, age 39, of Bloomfield, guilty of the crime of Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59. The Honorable Christopher Pelosi presided over the trial.
The conviction stems from an August 16, 2019 violent stabbing in New Britain. According to evidence at trial, the defendant attacked a man who interrupted a date the defendant was on with the man’s girlfriend. Leveille broke a glass and repeatedly struck the victim in the face causing serious physical injury. Two good Samaritans, Philip Hopkins of West Hartford and Jason Cote of Kensington, bravely intervened and stopped the assault.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2023 in New Britain Superior Court.
“Mr. Leveille’s conviction reaffirms our office’s dedication to focusing on prosecuting violent offenses to ensure the safety of our community,” said Senior Assistant State’s Attorney David Clifton and Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Blain, who prosecuted the case.
State’s Attorney Watson and Senior Assistant State Attorney Clifton and Assistant State’s Attorney Blain wish to extend their gratitude to the New Britain Police Department for their investigative efforts, the good Samaritans who risked their safety for a complete stranger, and to members of the St. Francis Hospital and New Britain Emergency Medical Services for their talented medical intervention, preventing a worse injury.